The Real Story on Community Pharmacies
The government claims downloading hundreds of millions of dollars in healthcare costs to Ontario’s pharmacists will benefit consumers. Here’s another side to the story, as I see it.
There are four stakeholders in the pharmaceutical business:
- Patented drug companies, otherwise referred to as “Big Pharma;”
- The generic drug companies, often referred to as the affordable, alternative drug companies;
- The local pharmacists who knowledgeably interact with the prescribing doctor and the customer;
- The final participant is the consumer/patient.
The McGuinty government is taking on the frontline pharmacist, who has no one to download on except the patient. It is not that the professional allowance fees are anything new. The government has known and accepted this fact for years. The pharmacist dispensing fees cover only a small part of the cost of operating a drug store. The question I ask is: Why doesn’t the McGuinty government take on “Big Pharma,” which accounts for about 75% of the provincial government’s prescription medication expenditures? The smaller generic companies only receive about 25% of what the province spends annually on prescription drugs.
By unilaterally changing the rules for Ontario’s pharmacists, the provincial government will pocket about half a billion dollars. Unfortunately, it’s the customers, pharmacies and staff that will pay the price. In effect, Ontarians are being taxed once again through government-mandated cuts to services at Ontario’s pharmacies. As you may recall, this government has already charged us another $15 billion in health taxes. Unfortunately, we have not seen that money translated into noticeable benefits such as reduced waiting times. In fact, the general trend is that we pay more for less.
I would like to thank the hundreds of pharmacy customers who have taken the time to send me an e-mail, write a letter, or sign a postcard in support of their community pharmacy. I have also spoken with most pharmacists in my Riding about the implications of the government’s decision and how it will affect them as healthcare professionals and business owners. There is a concern that smaller pharmacies will close and larger ones will be forced to drastically cut the high service component that makes them valued members of the healthcare team. It may just mean not as much time with customers, explaining medication issues.
I have forwarded hundreds of postcards in support of community pharmacies to Premier McGuinty. In addition, I have raised this issue through statements and petitions in the Ontario Legislature. I will continue to stand up for Durham constituents and for the excellent services provided by our pharmacists. Pharmacists are willing to work with the government. However, as I hear it, the government refuses to listen. It’s time for this government to bring together patients, pharmacists, pharmacy staff, drug companies and all the stakeholders to find solutions that are fair to everyone. Please continue to send me your comments. I will ensure your views are heard at Queen’s Park. My constituency office may be reached at 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 and at: john.otooleco@pc.ola.org.
Farmers Aim for Sustainability
Last week, I was pleased to speak with representatives of the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition at Queen’s Park. My Riding of Durham is a very important agricultural centre. The Coalition was updating MPPs on the need for action by government to ensure there is a future for agriculture in Ontario. The Coalition represents many of the commodity groups in crisis, including livestock producers and growers of fruits and vegetables. Included in the coalition are producers of grains and oilseeds, pork, sheep, veal, cattle and fruits and vegetable growers. They are also working together with the Christian Farmers’ Federation of Ontario. The Coalition is a diverse group that has agreed on many points that will protect Ontario’s sources of locally-grown food for future generations. Their recommendations include: Changes in the rules governing the AgriStability program to make it more accessible and useful during times of economic downturn; Establishing a Business Risk Management program for each commodity; and retroactive payments for 2008 and 2009 to help farmers weather the crisis.
Ontario’s farms should be considered a strategic resource that will ensure Ontario’s local food supply is preserved for the future. Agriculture is the largest economic contributor and the third largest employer in Ontario. There are 57,000 farms engaged in primary agriculture, while the agri-food industry is worth $28 billion and employs over 700,000. Remember: Farmers grow the food we eat.
New Opposition Bill Gives Municipalities
A Voice in Wind Power Development
Opposition MPP Sylvia Jones has introduced a Private Member’s bill aimed at ensuring Ontario municipalities and local residents have a voice in wind energy developments.
Under the McGuinty government’s Green Energy Act, 2009, new wind projects can be built with no municipal planning control and limited public input. The legislation from MPP Sylvia Jones attempts to restore the traditional municipal planning oversight for renewable energy projects. It would ensure these projects are under the control of Planning Act, through policy statements, provincial plans, official plans, demolition control by-laws, zoning by-laws and development permit regulations and by-laws.
This legislation is based on the philosophy that municipalities, under the leadership of qualified planning staff and elected councils, know what works best for them. The municipal planning process governs other development proposals such as shopping malls, high-rises and subdivisions. Why should approvals of wind farms be any different?
In a Globe and Mail article last week, the President of the Power Workers Union, Don MacKinnon, said the province’s green energy policies are driving wrong-headed, huge investments in wind, and solar generation, new natural gas plants and related network expansion. Mr. MacKinnon added: “Unfortunately, this misguided focus on trendy, headline-motivated policy is rapidly eroding any price advantage while ignoring existing strengths.”
My attitude is that we must all try to conserve as much as possible. But electricity is an essential product and it must remain safe, reliable and affordable.
