Pharmacy services and fees

Learn about the pharmacy services, dispensing and distribution fees, and the pharmacy funding framework.

Overview

The Pharmacy Funding Framework between the Ministry of Health, the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association and Alberta Blue Cross expires March 31, 2025.

Pharmacy services

Albertans with valid Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan coverage may be eligible for some pharmacy services at no charge, giving you easier access to primary health care services. You are encouraged to talk to your pharmacist about the services they offer.

These services include:

  • providing you with an annual care plan or medication management assessment
  • managing your diabetes
  • managing your smoking cessation
  • administering an injection
  • adapting or modifying a prescription
  • renewing a prescription
  • providing a prescription in an emergency
  • administering a vaccine and more

These pharmacy services do not replace the need for you to see other health care providers, such as your family doctor.

Dispensing and distribution fees

When you purchase a prescription, the total cost includes:

  • the cost of the drug
  • a dispensing fee of up to $12.15 and
  • standard charges for inventory, stocking and other services

Compounded prescription pricing

Compounded prescriptions prepared in a pharmacy

A compounded prescription is a medication that is specially prepared by the pharmacy for your use.

The cost of a compounded prescription includes:

  • the cost of all ingredients
  • a dispensing fee of up to $18.45 and
  • standard charges for inventory, stocking and other services

Purchased compounded prescriptions

If the compounded prescription is not prepared by the pharmacy, but purchased from another pharmacy, the cost includes:

  • the cost of the drug
  • a dispensing fee of up to $12.15 and
  • standard charges for inventory, stocking and other services

Pharmacy funding framework

The rates under the pharmacy funding framework, effective May 17, 2018, will remain in effect until March 31, 2025:

Table 1. Pharmacy activity and fees

Pharmacy activityFee
Dispensing fee$12.15
Reimbursement for daily dispensing and other frequent dispensing limits

Daily dispensing: 3 fees per day per patient

Other frequent dispensing (2 to 27 day supplies): 2 fees per drug per 28 days per patient

Opioid dependence treatments: No limits

Comprehensive annual care plan$100
Standard medication management assessment$60
Comprehensive annual care plan follow-up or a standard medication management assessment follow-up$20
Comprehensive annual care plan follow-up and standard medication management assessment follow-up limits12 follow-ups annually per patient
Assessment to ensure continuity of care in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency$20
Administering publicly funded vaccines.$13