REGINA — The Government of Saskatchewan and the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) have developed a three-year agreement that aligns with the province's Patients First Health Care Plan, according to a government media release.
The Pharmacy Proprietor Agreement funds things like dispensing of medications and publicly funded services such as minor ailment diagnosis and treatment, states the release, adding that the agreement will help sustain pharmacies, optimize scope and modernize programs.
The Pharmacy Proprietor Agreement began May 1, and provides a total funding increase of $13.8 million. This increase represents a 5.4 per cent investment in pharmacy sustainability and a 3.7 per cent investment in scope optimization and service enhancement, for a total of 9.1 per cent. Implementation will be phased over the three-year term.
According to the government, the contract includes further expansion of strep throat and ear infection services, enabling broader availability and timely access to care in the community. There is an expansion of the Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program to more residents, and commitments to support minor ailment prescribing by pharmacists and chronic disease management services by pharmacy professionals.
"We want to thank the Government of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Health for recognizing and supporting the important role pharmacy professionals can play in helping to expand health care access to Saskatchewan residents," Pharmacy Association CEO Michael Fougere said.
There are more than 1,400 practicing pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in 433 licensed community pharmacies across Saskatchewan.
"This is an opportunity for us to recognize the important work pharmacists do every day, and the role pharmacy technicians and assistants play in helping care for the people of Saskatchewan," Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "We recognize that pharmacists are highly trained and trusted professionals, and in many communities, the pharmacy is the first point of contact for health care."
The government say it and PAS will also work collaboratively to review and modernize policy to improve patient access to care.
