Overview
The Pharmacy Funding Framework between the Ministry of Health, the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association and Alberta Blue Cross will be extended 2 years, expiring March 31, 2022.
- Read the 2020 Compensation Plan for Pharmacy Services Ministerial Order
- Read the 2020 Authorized Adjustment Policy Ministerial Order
- Read the 2018 Pharmaceutical Services Provider Agreement between Alberta Blue Cross and pharmacies (PDF, 550 KB)
- Read the 2019 Pharmacy Holdback Policy Ministerial Order
- Read the 2019 Amending Agreement between Alberta Blue Cross and pharmacies
- Read more information
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, 2022:
Table 1. Pharmacy activity and fees
| Pharmacy activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| 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 limits | 12 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 |