Regulation allowing government to pay out transitional fee to wean pharmacies off professional allowances finally approved. Retroactive compensation expected in mid-August ODB payment.

Christmas is coming in August for Ontario pharmacies–at least, it might seem like it, when a long-awaited gift arrives mid-month.

Pharmacies in the province have been wondering since last summer when they’d finally see the $1.00 per transaction transition payments promised as part of the province’s strategy to wean them from professional allowances.

The Ontario government firmly believes that the shift to compensating pharmacists for your professional services is the right way to go

The regulation allowing the government to pay out this transitional allowance was finally approved, Diane McArthur told the audience at the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association’s annual conference in Muskoka this morning (June 10).

McArthur, who is assistant deputy minister and executive officer of Ontario’s Public Drug Programs Division, said pharmacies can expect to see a retroactive payment of their transition fee in their mid-August ODB payment.

As part of the province’s three-year transitional strategy, as of July 1, 2011, each claim transaction accrues a $0.65 fee; on April 1, 2012 the fee decreases to $0.35. It is anticipated that by March 2013, when the initiative comes to an end, the majority of Ontario pharmacies will have made a solid transition to a services-based business model.

“The Ontario government firmly believes that the shift to compensating pharmacists for your professional services is the right way to go,” said McArthur.

McArthur’s morning keynote included more good news for Ontario pharmacists, including the announcement that the province will give pharmacists a greater stewardship role in its expanding ColonCancerCheck initiative. For the past year, pharmacists have been able to distribute fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) to patients 50-74 who do not have a regular physician.

On August 1, pharmacists will be encouraged to distribute the tests to all eligible patients after their MedsCheck consult. The province will be offering education programs to help prepare pharmacists to distribute the tests and answer patients’ questions about the screening test.

Also on the horizon, said McArthur, are initiatives designed to increase the emphasis on health quality throughout the system. This involves taking advantage of pharmacists’ accessibility and skills, she noted, adding that the province is “just beginning to tap into your capabilities.”

The OPA Conference continues until Saturday, June 11.