Winnipeg, April 11, 2017 – Pharmacists Manitoba, the organization representing over 800 pharmacists in Manitoba, offered the following comment on the budget tabled today by the Provincial Government in the Manitoba Legislature.  The budget speech indicated an intention to address pharmacy dispensing fees in Manitoba.

“Pharmacists in Manitoba acknowledge the new government is looking to address an overall budget challenge and they have a mandate from Manitobans to find solutions.  We also acknowledge that other jurisdictions in Canada have undertaken different solutions to pharmacy dispensing fees to meet some of these challenges,” said Sharon Smith, President, Pharmacists Manitoba. “It will be important, however, to understand the details of exactly what the government is proposing. Fifty thousand Manitobans access a pharmacist in Manitoba every day. Our members have a presence, and an impact, in every community in the province.  We have important contributions to make to the health care improvements that all Manitobans ultimately want to see.”

Smith noted that Manitoba pharmacists can offer the Manitoba Government many opportunities to improve outcomes for patients. Dispensing fees are just one part of the overall picture of improving the health care system.  Communication and consultation will be key to ensuring a strong pharmacy system can reach its full potential for Manitoba families.   

“We look forward to meeting with Minister Kelvin Goertzen to discuss the ways in which Manitoba Pharmacists and the Manitoba Government can work together to improve health care outcomes for all Manitobans. We want to see pharmacists in Manitoba able to practice the profession of pharmacy at the highest levels and to its fullest extent. We want Manitoba citizens to enjoy the same level of pharmacy services seen elsewhere across Canada.”