Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Several changes affecting pharmacy services, prescription dispensing and drug coverage have come into force across Alberta, with new rules taking effect October 1.
The updated framework is designed to reduce unnecessary pharmacy visits for people taking long-term medications while maintaining more frequent dispensing for patients who require closer pharmacist supervision.
Under the new system, Albertans with stable, ongoing prescriptions can receive up to a three-month supply at a time. The change is expected to reduce the number of trips patients need to make to pharmacies and lower the frequency of dispensing charges over the course of a year.
Patients whose medications require daily or more frequent dispensing will continue to receive their prescriptions on that schedule. Alberta has also introduced limits affecting certain compounded topical medications as part of efforts to control costs, while eligible medication access remains in place.
Private Insurance to Be Used First
Another change affects Albertans who have private or employer-sponsored drug coverage. Those benefits will generally have to be used before government-funded drug plans contribute toward eligible medication costs.
If private coverage is unavailable or has reached its annual limit, government-sponsored programs will continue to provide coverage to eligible residents.
People who rely exclusively on government-sponsored drug coverage are not affected by the change.
Protection for Workers Over 65
New protections are also being introduced for Albertans who remain employed beyond the age of 65.
Employers will not be permitted to terminate, reduce or alter employer-sponsored drug and supplemental health benefits solely because an employee has reached that age.
Changes to Pharmacy Naloxone Distribution
The rules governing naloxone kits distributed through pharmacies have also been updated.
Naloxone will continue to be available free of charge through pharmacies and community organizations. In most cases, Albertans seeking a kit from a pharmacy will need to provide a valid Alberta health-care card and will receive one kit at a time.
There is an exception for emergencies. Pharmacists can provide naloxone without a health-care number when there is an immediate need for the medication.
People who are not facing an emergency but require more than one kit may instead be directed to community organizations, where naloxone remains available without the new pharmacy-specific requirements.
The province says the collection of measures is intended to preserve access to essential medications and pharmacy services while managing public drug-program costs.
