The Supreme Court of British Columbia has removed a ban on using reward programs for prescription products and services in the province. The ban was due to a bylaw from the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia and took effect in December 2013. The rewards programs involved include Air Miles and Club Thrifty Food Points.
Safeway Canada and Thrifty Foods, a Sobeys banner, filed a petition to overturn the bylaw, on the basis that loyalty programs help foster better pharmacist-patient relationships.
“We are delighted that as a result of our efforts, Safeway and Thrifty Foods’ pharmacy customers will once again be able to earn the rewards they enjoy to enrich their lives, help buy products and travel,” says Sandra Aylward, vice president of professional and regulatory affairs with Sobeys.
Ontario, Newfoundland and Quebec have similar bylaws in place, and Sobeys is encouraging the bylaw’s removal in Alberta by having a Queen’s Bench justice grant a stay on the ban until a judicial review hearing in 2015.
