Nova Scotia - Take Heed Newfoundland and Labrador

Let's see if the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador follows the lead of provinces such as Ontario and closer to home Nova Scotia.


Generic price caps blamed for closure of Nova Scotia village pharmacy
 
(Carol Moreira - CanadianHealthcareNetwork)
 
The only pharmacy in the Nova Scotia village of Lawrencetown will close this summer and critics are blaming the cap on the price of generic drugs, introduced last year.

Pharmacy co-owner Rob Perry told the Chronicle-Herald that lower generic prices played a role in the store's closure, although rising costs and falling income also contributed.

"Economically, it's just not feasible. It's more expensive to run a business than it was two years ago," Perry said. The Lawrencetown Pharmasave opened in 1955 and will close on June 30th.

Allison Bodnar, executive director of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia said the Lawrencetown Pharmasave is the first closure, but many pharmacies are suffering because of the cap on the price of generics sold to Pharmacare recipients.

 "Reduced hours, staff layoffs, reduced services and even further closures can be expected as the final legislated price cuts take effect this summer," Bodnar said.