On February 3, the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada provided a written submission to the Ontario Ministry of Finance regarding the 2025 Budget. Building on remarks presented in person by CEO Sandra Hanna, our submission acknowledged and endorsed the recommendations put forth by the Ontario Pharmacists Association regarding pharmacy sustainability and funding, while taking the opportunity to present our position and recommendations around the need for a thoughtful regulatory framework government the activities of Preferred Provider Networks (PPNs)
Specifically, we emphasized that:
- Our association supports informed patient choice while also respecting and promoting the ability of pharmacies to innovate and deliver care that meets the diverse needs of the patients they serve.
- We firmly believe that elements of PPN design and agreements can have negative impacts on patients, the competitive pharmacy landscape and the ongoing sustainability of the pharmacy sector.
- Government intervention is necessary to develop an appropriate framework that governs PPN parameters and activities; that prioritizes patients, respects competition and ensures all stakeholders can operate sustainably.