Pharmacists Warn Lowering Drug Costs Will Be Complicated

Pharmacists will have a lot to say when they meet with provincial health department officials about making prescription drugs, including generic brands, less expensive.

Paul Blanchard of the New Brunswick Pharmacists Association tells CHSJ News the misuse of drugs will have to be dealt with because that drives up the cost.

Blanchard says, according to Health Canada, one in 9 visits to the Emergency Department is because of an adverse reaction to drugs and almost half of people with chronic disease couldn't tell a New Brunswick Health Council survey what their drugs were being used for.

Blanchard also says the pharmamcists will be looking for higher fees to process the prescriptions.