Shoppers Drug Mart submitted a total of $81.2 million to the Ontario government’s MedsCheck program for medication reviews between 2022 and 2024. This amount is $8 million higher than what the pharmacy chain billed for the same services over the preceding six years combined.
Aly Háji, a regulatory lawyer specializing in pharmacy health-care law, pointed out the significant increase in MedsChecks despite a decline in revenues from services like COVID vaccinations. He highlighted concerns about the corporatization of healthcare, where healthcare professionals may face conflicting loyalties between the corporation and patient care.
Medication reviews involve pharmacists meeting with patients to review their prescriptions. Eligible individuals in Ontario include those on three or more medications for chronic conditions, residents in licensed long-term care homes, and those receiving diabetes treatment. Pharmacies can charge the government $60 for an annual review, $75 for diabetes patients, and $25 for follow-ups.
Following a CBC News investigation revealing pressure on Shoppers pharmacists to meet targets for services like medication reviews, the Ministry of Health provided billing data for various pharmacy chains in Ontario, excluding Rexall and McKesson due to their appeal against data sharing.
Shoppers Drug Mart accounted for 77% of the total $293.2 million billed by eight pharmacy chains for medication reviews from 2013 to 2024. Shoppers’ average revenue per pharmacy was $183,800, significantly higher than the other chains, reflecting a substantial increase in billing for medication reviews in recent years.
Shoppers Drug Mart defended its billing practices, citing the growing demand for healthcare services. The company emphasized patient care, with medication reviews representing less than 20% of services provided by its pharmacists in Ontario. However, concerns persist regarding corporate pressure on pharmacists.
A survey by the Ontario College of Pharmacists indicated ongoing business pressures on pharmacists, including demands to conduct MedsCheck reviews. The College reported investigations related to corporate pressures, particularly concerning MedsCheck, but did not disclose detailed findings to maintain investigation integrity.
Experts like regulatory lawyer Aly Háji advocate for a revamp of the MedsCheck program to address potential misuse. Recommendations include stricter qualifications for medication reviews, documentation requirements, and enhanced communication between pharmacists and prescribers.
The Ontario Pharmacy Association proposed reforms to the MedsCheck program, suggesting an increase in the number of medications required for review eligibility. While emphasizing the value of medication reviews, the association and the government are working towards program improvements based on feedback and consultations within the pharmacy sector.