Commission report points to problems with “compliance programs” and “drug supply agreements” in pharmacies.
The Conseil de la protection des malades (CPM) had this report prepared because of concerns regarding practices between drugstore banners and pharmacists.
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According to the report, pharmacists at times, find themselves in a conflict of interest as defined by their code of ethics and the Pharmacy Act. Section 24 of the said act stipulated that pharmacists are not allowed to substitute prescribed medication with another manufactured by a company in which they have a direct or indirect vested interest.
Instead, the commissioned report says, they should focus on determining their patient’s interest first and foremost.
Paul Brunet, the CPM’s chair, says pharmacists should remain autonomous and never participate in any program of their chain or banner that influences or could influence in any way the choice of prescription drugs.
With the code of ethics currently under review, the CPM is calling for and end to compliance programs and drug supply agreements so that pharmacists do not have to stick to private-label generics and become independent in their choices.
