Overview
The Pharmacy Funding Framework between the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services (formerly Ministry of Health), the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association and Alberta Blue Cross expires March 31, 2029.
- 2026 Compensation Plan for Pharmacy Services Ministerial Order
- 2026 Authorized Adjustment Policy Ministerial Order
- Alberta Blue Cross Pharmaceutical Services Provider Agreement
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 a comprehensive annual care plan or standard 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 publicly funded vaccine and more
These pharmacy services may 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 $12.35 for medications with a days’ supply less than 84 days or a dispensing fee of up to $13.50 for medications with a days’ supply of 84 days or greater 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
Topical compound medications containing diclofenac and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will have a unit price limit of $0.55 per gram.
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 $12.35 for less than 84 days’ supply and $13.50 for 84 days or greater supply
- standard charges for inventory, stocking and other services
Pharmacy funding framework
The rates under the pharmacy funding framework will remain in effect until March 31, 2029:
Table 1. Pharmacy activity and fees.
| Pharmacy activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dispensing fee | $12.35 per dispense when the days’ supply is less than 84 days, and $13.50 per dispense when the days’ supply is 84 days or greater. |
| Reimbursement for daily dispensing and other frequent dispensing limits | Daily dispensing: One fee per day per patient for select medications Other frequent dispensing (2 to 27 day supplies): 2 fees per drug per 28 days per patient Methadone and Buprenorphine/Naloxone: No limits |
| Maintenance medications | Specific medications used to support long-term conditions must be dispensed for 84 days or greater unless special circumstances warrant more frequent dispensing. |
| Prescribe a medication at initial access or prescribe a medication to manage ongoing therapy | $25 |
| Prescribe a medication in an emergency | $20 |
| Renew or adapt a prescription | $20 |
| Comprehensive annual care plan | $70 |
| 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 limits | 4 follow-ups per 365 days 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 |
| Administering publicly funded vaccines through the Alberta Outreach Immunization Program | $17 |
Resources
- Pharmacy Benefit Changes: What You Need to Know
- Alberta Pharmacy Funding Framework (Alberta Pharmacists’ Association)
- Changes to health coverage (Alberta Blue Cross)
News
- Pharmacy changes take effect in Alberta (October 1, 2026)