Alberta's pharmacy dispensing fees increase for first time in a decade
Maximum dispensing fees rise from $12.15 to $12.35 for short-term prescriptions under a new three-year deal between the province and pharmacists.
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Albertans will pay slightly more for prescriptions under a new three-year funding agreement between the province and pharmacists.
Primary Health Minister Justin Wright announced Wednesday the government has signed the deal, which includes the first increase in dispensing fees in a decade. Dispensing fees are what pharmacists charge per prescription — either patients or their drug plans cover the cost.
Under the new agreement, the maximum fee for prescriptions of less than 84 days of supply will be $12.35, up from the current $12.15. For prescriptions of more than 84 days, the maximum dispensing fee is increasing to $13.50 from $12.15.
The agreement also includes pharmacist compensation increases of three per cent in each of the first two years, with a rate review scheduled for the final year based on how successful the deal is.
The province is instituting a new $13,000 monthly cap on how much pharmacists can bill the government for clinical services — including administering vaccines, renewing prescriptions, or doing medication reviews for patients with chronic diseases.