Change in Rural Clinic Medication Dispensing

In the absence pharmacy services in rural areas, medications had been dispensed by physicians in medical clinics to ensure that residents have access. Since there are community pharmacies to provide medication in these communities, rural clinics will no longer dispense medications. Having a pharmacist dispense medication improves patient safety because there will be improved monitoring of potential drug interactions and medication allergies.  This change also allows enables access to electronic medication records which will benefit patients and providers.

 -30-

Media Contact:
Tara J. Pye 
Director of Communications
Western Health 
T: 784-5252 
E: tarajpye@westernhealth.nl.ca

Backgrounder FAQs: Change in Medication Dispensing for Rural Clinics

1. What clinics does this apply to?

Individuals in communities who presently avail of the community pharmacy dispensing service through community clinics will need to make arrangements to purchase and receive prescribed medications through the retail pharmacy of their choice:

• Parsons Pond
• Daniels Harbour
• Cow Head
• Hampden
• Jackson's Arm
• Pollards Point

Individuals in Trout River and Woody Point will need to make arrangements with the community pharmacy of their choice to arrange delivery or pick up their medication.

2. Why are you changing the practice for medication dispensing at rural clinics?

Western Health Medical Clinics have been dispensing medication for several years, due to lack of access to pharmacies in the region, however, access to community pharmacies has improved in in recent years.

Having a pharmacist dispense medication improves patient safety because there will be improved monitoring of potential drug interactions and medication allergies.  This change also allows enables access to electronic medication records which will benefit patients and providers.

3. Where can I get my medication now?

Patients can fill their prescriptions at their pharmacy of choice. The pharmacies in the area are:

• Medicine Shoppe, Deer Lake
• Medicine Shoppe, Pasadena
• Complete Care Pharmasave, Rocky Harbour
• Bonne Bay Pharmachoice, Norris Point
• Lawton’s Drug Store, Deer Lake
• Shoppers Drug Mart, Deer Lake

4. Do I need a new prescription?

Yes. Individuals who currently obtain their medication from the following medical clinics must contact their physician to have their prescription transferred to a community pharmacy of their choice before March 1, 2019.:

• Parsons Pond
• Daniels Harbour
• Cow Head
• Hampden
• Jackson's Arm
• Pollards Point

5. What if there is a storm and I am unable to get to the pharmacy or my prescription is not able to be delivered?

Community clinics will continue to stock a small quantity of medications at community clinics to support client care in situations where supplying medications is necessary and access to a community pharmacy is not available or delayed. When the community pharmacy is not available, Western Health will provide tide over medication and when there is an urgent need to start treatment.

6. Will I have to pay more to receive my prescription?

Professional dispensing fees may vary between community pharmacies. There may be a minimal increase in dispensing fees depending on the patient’s insurance plan.