Despite the much-touted success of the program, some are raising questions about pharmacies marking up the price of the anti-addiction drug. Dr Tim Christie tells CHSJ News the actual drug only costs 35 cents per daily dosage, but the pharmacies that dispense it charge $10.50 which has resulted in long waiting lists for the program.
In addition to making it harder for patients, Christie points out the dispensing fees from private companies are taxing our healthcare system. He says we can't line the pockets of the pharmacies when we have such limited resources to begin with. Another option would be to dispense methadone via not-for-profit organizations that already exist.
A call to the New Brunswick Pharmacist's Association was not immediately returned.
