Allegations of Pressure on Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacists to Bill for Medication Reviews

😓Pharmacists at Shoppers Drug Mart allegedly face pressure to meet targets and quotas for medication reviews and other professional services.

📈Internal documents show weekly and yearly plans for how much money pharmacies are expected to bring in from professional services.

💰Pharmacy owners receive a cut from the services billed to the government, while the rest goes to the corporation.

🎯Pharmacists claim that the pressure to hit targets increased after revenue from COVID-19 testing and vaccines declined.

🔬Ontario's regulatory body for pharmacists is addressing the issue and working on solutions.

Are there targets and quotas for medication reviews at Shoppers Drug Mart?

—Despite claims from the company's president, internal documents and testimonials suggest that pharmacists are indeed pressured to meet targets and quotas for medication reviews and other professional services.

Who benefits financially from the services billed to the government?

—Pharmacy owners receive a cut from the services billed to the government, while the rest goes to the corporation.

Why did the pressure to hit targets increase for pharmacists?

—Pharmacists claim that the pressure increased after revenue from COVID-19 testing and vaccines started to decline.

Is the regulatory body for pharmacists addressing this issue?

—Yes, Ontario's regulatory body for pharmacists is aware of the issue and is working on solutions to address the pressure faced by pharmacists.

What other professional services are pharmacists pressured to meet targets for?

—Pharmacists are reportedly pressured to meet targets for all professional services, including prescribing for minor ailments and handing out naloxone kits.

00:00In a CBC News investigation, allegations have emerged that pharmacists at Shoppers Drug Mart face pressure to bill for medication reviews.

00:31Shoppers Drug Mart's president initially denied any targets or quotas for billing taxpayers for medication reviews.

01:19However, multiple pharmacists have come forward with testimonies contradicting the company's claims.

01:58Internal documents obtained by CBC News reveal weekly and yearly plans for how much money pharmacies are expected to bring in from professional services.

02:33Pharmacists claim that the pressure to meet targets intensified after revenue from COVID-19 testing and vaccines declined.

03:41Last month, Shoppers Drug Mart billed $1.8 million in professional services, with medication reviews accounting for a significant portion.

04:01Pharmacists argue that having targets interferes with their professional judgment and the quality of care.

04:12Ontario's regulatory body for pharmacists is aware of the issue and is working on solutions to address the concerns raised.