N.S. pharmacies limiting prescription fills to 30 days

As part of the health-care system’s overall response to the COVID-19 virus, the pharmacy regulatory body in Nova Scotia responsible for protecting the public’s health interest has asked pharmacists to restrict the dispensing of medications to a 30-day period for each prescription.

“This decision was not taken lightly,” said Beverley Zwicker, Registrar of the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists, in a March 20 media release. “During this health emergency, it is vital that we do everything we can to ensure patients get the medications they need and this is one of the ways we are doing that.”

The demand for prescription drugs resulting from the public feeling the need to stockpile medications was putting Nova Scotians at risk of increased drug shortages, the release reads, and as such the NSCP was asked to intervene.

“Patients have been asking pharmacies to provide them with months more of their prescriptions than they would normally get at one time and our members have expressed growing concerns about being able to meet the demand for medications,” said Allison Bodnar, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. “We have worked closely with our partners at NSCP and Public Health to come up with this solution.”

It was noted this is a temporary measure designed to enable pharmacies to help ensure all Nova Scotians continue to have access to medications at this challenging time.

“NSCP carefully considered the implications of this decision for the public in consultation with Public Health, government and those managing the provinces drug supply chain,” reads the release. “The NSCP only took this action when it was evident that it was a necessary measure in order to protect the supply of drugs for all Nova Scotians.”

There are costs incurred by pharmacies to dispense a prescription and these are covered by the dispensing fee. It is not reasonable to expect pharmacies to absorb these costs and continue to provide services during these extreme times, the release also said.

“Pharmacies are following the directions designed for the public’s good and the compensation is reasonable,” said. Zwicker.

Many of the measures being taken by Public Health and other health-care system partners at this time are having a significant impact on individuals; however, they are being taken for the protection of the public’s health and safety, NSCP says.

“We are all looking forward to being on the other side of this crisis. Until then, we ask for your patience and cooperation with this temporary measure,” said Zwicker.