30-day prescription drug limit lifted in Alberta

By GILLIAN SLADE on June 11, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

The provincial government has announced that effective June 15 pharmacies will no longer limit the supply of prescription medication to a maximum of 30 days.

In March the government imposed the 30-day supply restriction to ensure that the supply of drugs could meet the anticipated demand.

It meant having to renew prescriptions more frequently.

Starting Monday, pharmacists in Alberta will begin filling prescriptions again for up to a 100-day supply.

“We are confident that now is the time to adjust our guidance to help Albertans make fewer visits to pharmacies and to support pharmacists in reducing the volume of prescriptions to fill,” said Tyler Shandro, minister of health in a press release.

Margaret Wing, CEO of Alberta Pharmacists Association, said the limit of a 30-day supply had helped to stabilize the drug supply.

“While we understand that some medication shortages continue to exist for certain medications, we are confident that pharmacists will be able to transition patients back to receiving three-month supplies for the majority of their medications where appropriate,” said Wing.

Greg Eberhart, registrar for the Alberta College of Pharmacy, said pharmacists should use their judgment to limit the dispensed quantities of specific drugs that continue to be in short supply.

Pharmacists can use the drug shortage list posted on the Alberta Blue Cross website as a reference. If a medication dispensed is on the list, government-sponsored drug plan members will pay the maximum copayment of $8. Drugs unaffected by shortages will be dispensed at the usual rates and rules. This means that government-sponsored drug plan members will pay the normal maximum $25 copayment.

Several months ago when the provincial government introduced changes to the government-sponsored Coverage for Seniors and Non-Group Coverage, lower copayment of up to $8 per prescription for a 30-day supply came into effect. The usual copayment is up to $25 per prescription.

Albertans with other private drug coverage insurance will have to consult with their provider.

To find out if a specific drug is affected by a shortage or supply chain issue, people are encouraged to ask their pharmacist when they have their prescriptions filled.

You can also access information on specific drug shortages at the Drug Shortages Canada website where companies are required to report all actual and anticipated shortages within specific time frames.

https://www.drugshortagescanada.ca/

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