Fair Drug Prices for Ontarians
April 29, 2010
Dear Friends,
As you are likely aware, our government recently announced improvements to Ontario’s drug system that will lower the cost of generic drugs for our seniors, patients, employers, unions and those who pay out of pocket for prescription medicines. I want to tell you a little bit about why this initiative is so important to you.
Ontarians pay too much for generic drugs, plain and simple. In certain cases, we pay more than five times what some US states pay for the same drug.
Our government believes that is unfair and we’re moving to change the system by cutting the cost of generic drugs by at least 50%, expanding the number of medicines available to those on the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan, increasing direct payments to pharmacists and boosting support for rural pharmacies with $250 million in new funding.
The improvements are going to make a real difference for Ontarians. For example, someone who pays for Gabapentin (a generic drug used to manage pain and epilepsy), out of their own pocket could save more than $400 every year when our reforms take full effect. These are meaningful savings.
Nevertheless, big pharmacy chains have mounted a widespread campaign to oppose our improvements. Many of you have probably already encountered this campaign in your communities.
We know big pharmacy is going to continue fighting these much-needed reforms. And that’s why, over the coming days, weeks and months, we need your help to remind Ontarians that their government is doing the right thing by reducing the cost of generic drugs and making the province’s drug system more accountable.
So please forward this email along and help us spread the word. For more information about the improvements we’re making, you can go online and visit the ministry’s website at ontario.ca/fairdrugprices. You can also take a stand by writing a letter to your local paper or joining the "Fair Drug Prices for Ontarians!" Facebook group.
As Liberals, we must uphold our basic values and support those who need us to be their voice. With your help, the people in your ridings will understand that these improvements are the right thing to do.
Thanks so much for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Deb Matthews
Facts Ontario Liberals need to know about changes to the drug system:
1. Ontarians pay too much for generic drugs – in certain cases, we pay more than five times what some US states pay.
2. There are currently more pharmacies in Ontario than there are Tim Hortons locations in Canada.
3. Our plan allows us to reinvest millions of dollars back into our health care system and makes it possible for us to continue funding new drugs.
4. Our plan supports rural pharmacies — after the changes, dispensing fees paid by the Ontario government would increase by up to $4 for every Ontario Drug Benefit prescription filled in rural or underserviced areas of the province.
5. Through our plan, we will pay pharmacies directly for the services they provide to patients.
Who thinks Ontario's Drug Reform is the right thing to do?
For
CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons)
Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan
Canadian Health and Life Insurance Association
Ontario Federation of Labour
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 Canada
Ontario Nurses’ Association
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
Canadian Treatment Action Council
and the list keeps growing...
Against:
Chain Drug Stores
Tim Hudak
WFDS
Why not just accuse all those who have concerns as being homophobic.It certainly worked in the last debate.
ReplyDeleteWe were told the $700 employer tax was going to fix health care..I guess that money was squandered as well.
If you reduce prices, the quality of Ontarian's healthcare will diminish--that's a fact.
ReplyDeletePlease stop lying to Ontarians.
BTW, where is the eHealth money?
Facts:
ReplyDeleteThe Liberal government will shut down many local Pharmacies because of this.
The Liberal govt. created this rebate fee.
The Liberal govt. is a making a big mess here.
Visit www.stopcuts.ca to get the truth about this.
Chain drug stores are not the only ones against this but it is all the 10,000 or so Onatario pharmacists against this reform. A number of taxpayer pharmacists family will have roof lifted from above their heads as they join the unemployment lineups and join the welfare system. Good job by the government to make themselves rich at the expense of all Ontario.
ReplyDeleteThe only good thing is if we have to go on welfare at least our prescriptions, dental and glasses will be paid for.
ReplyDeleteDebbie...
ReplyDeleteYou keep on posting the same argument and not addressing the ultimate issue, which would be the impairment of accessibility to front line health care Ontarians would face provided these changes do go through. Yes, you may be saving the public x amount of dollars but will it matter when an individual suffers an adverse event that possibly could have been prevented?? The last time I checked, hospital admissions are pretty pricey.
You also never mention the effect on the economy/workforce when EI has to come up with 70% of our "massive" salaries. Have you even thought about the eventual workforce shortage when all of our bright new graduates move to other provinces/the US?? Brain-drain anyone??
I hope one day you or a loved one of yours need a Pharmacist's advice.
What a load of bullsh**! These cuts will NOT only affect Pharmacy. With the closure of most independant pharmacies (which this will undoubtedly put out of business), and shortened store hours of the "Evil" big chains, these cuts will affect the sale and volume of the amount of medications being produced. Who are the drug manufacturers going to sell to when they lose half of their customers? What about other medical companies that supply pharmacies with their home health care products?
ReplyDeleteIs the government trying to throw the economy into a recession? Once they harmonize the sales taxes, are they going to raise that amount to some ridiculous amount too?
It's not only Pharmacy employees that will lose their jobs and not only Pharmacies that will lose businees. Every Pharmacy is another business' customer! Many companies and businesses rely on the sales that they make from selling their products through pharmacies.
And as for the Tim Hortons comment... Really??? Tim Hortons is more important than pharmacies??? It is more important and a bigger goal for the government to have more Tim Hortons out there than Pharmacies?? What kind of idiots are running this country??
LOL. She is confused.
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteYou should be ashamed of yourself passing off these "Pharmacy Facts". You know darn well prices are not 5x in Canada. I would like to see the specific cases unless you just made that up. And rural pharmacists shouldn't hold their breath on the $4 increase (although you did say "up to" which means $.01 to $4). I also love the Tim Horton's fact, huh? It would be wise to pre-read letters that you sign. I can see you need damage control but you should write it yourself. Darren from Alberta. Come see us sometime.
Surely Deb Matthews is on Enalapril.She keeps talking about enalapril.Where are the facts?Meanwhile the Govt is paying for brand name Enalapril which is more expensive than the generic.
ReplyDeleteTo show you how dumb the Govt is.Which is more important to Ontarian?Tim Hortons or Pharmacist.While there are alternatives to Tim Hortons there are no alternatives to having more Pharmacists.Only alternatives-Emergencies,walk-in clinics etc.While I can walk 4kms to another Tim Hortons or coffee shop, I cannot afford to walk 4kms to get medicines for my 3 yr old child.Deb need to be examined medically-one way argument no facts.These are the facts;while Ontarian will save $400/yr on gabapentin,dispensing fee and other services previously paid for will cost approximately $535/yr.The maths? $135 more from your pocket because pharmacists cant go out of business.