Discussions

Tried to order two months worth of my medications, but was told by the pharmacy that I could only get one. The Manitoba government has said that people were starting to hoard and this is suppose to stop this. So to avoid going to the pharmacy, I get them delivered. Doesn’t stop the dispensing fees each time.

Understand your frustration. It isn't the government trying to pad their pockets or Pallister with some underlining agenda. Look at the toilet paper, hamburger, cleaning supplies, etc. Now put that with prescriptions. Imagine everyone started to rush to the pharmacy to get a constant 3 month supply of their drugs. We would have a drug shortage too. I would rather pay a little extra in dispensing fees knowing I will have my heart pills rather than have a shortage as people want to hoard anything they can and risk a heart attack. Once normal can become again it should be better. This isn't long term. I speculate only a few months. Really we are only what....a month and a half into this? Things should stabilize by the 3 month mark.

I believe this isn’t the first time you’ve made a post about this topic.  
 
It was the governments decision to only give out a months supply at a time. Pharmacies have to follow it. Why would they waive their dispensary fee? They still need to run a business including paying their staff. If they can’t afford to pay their staff, they will close and no one will get prescriptions.  
 
This will not go on forever. You are not the only person having to get prescriptions every month. I myself have been laid off and get prescriptions every month.

Your argument doesn't seem to have changed since your input into the very same topic in another thread.....  
 
I too have pres:criptions and have been paying the extra fees (I'm retired).  
 
I did a little research and the research indicates that roughly 60-70% of the raw materials for drugs manufactured in Canada come from places like China and India - who have not been able to provide the same supply as they did pre Covid 19. It appears as though that is slowly changing and hopefully the supply chain will be back to normal soon.  
 
I personally have been using the savings from "Pallister's" PST cut to pay for the extra drug costs...…….....  
 
Edited by BuckEye, 2020-04-29 14:26:26

I was told at my local Safeway (in BC, not in MB mind you) that they do not only fill for one month, unlike others.  
 
Pharmacist told us that they always try to fill for the three months and as long as the insurance company allows it, they would fill it. Worth a call to them to see if your local one will do it.  
 
Our Costco also does three months at a time still - I've had this discussion with a few different places now - it makes absolutely no sense to make people come in every month when you are trying to have people stay home.  
 
I understand the reasoning behind not hoarding pills and ensuring there is supply for all, but there are clearly some companies out there that are trying to help out the little guy.

Complaining on eBrandon multiple times does not change the fact that pharmacies are only allowed to dispense one month of medications at a time during a state of emergency. A state of emergency was declared by the province, and pharmacies have to follow the rules about dispensing just like the rest of us have to follow the rules about which businesses can remain open and the conditions under which that can happen.  
Foxtrot, if you are in BC, their rules during a state of emergency might be different.

Maybe you'd like to change positions with me - I'll pay your pres:cription and you can pay mine. My several pres:criptions cost me $417.33 for a 28 day supply, of which Pharmacare reimburses me $369.17 after I have exceeded my deduction which is just over $1000.00 In spite of what you may think about the nickel and dime routine pharmacists do a lot more then simply fill pill bottles. They need to know everything about the medication you are taking - such as other medications that will have a negative impact if mixed - foods which may cause a severe reaction if mixed with certain medications etc. The pharmacists know more about medications than the majority of Doctors. Don't complain about the little extra dispensing fee - be thankful you have someone knowledgeable filling your pres:criptions. If cost is such a major factor for you then take your chance and buy your drugs off the internet .

What are you feelings towards monthly bank fees that seem to decrease, but services decrease?

My UK bank does not charge me for having a current account, and has not done so since inception. They automatically send me a new check book when I get to a certain point in the current one and without charge. No fees for online/ telephone banking.  
I sure feel ripped off in Canada, especially when the fees on a supposed high interest account are more than the interest paid. Yes I understand that interest rates are crap right now but they are loaning my money out and earning and still charging me for looking after my funds.

Am in the same situation as you re banking. The banks in Canada could sure learn a few things about customer service and charges from the UK.

farmergeorge, better opening hours would also help, cannot believe the storekeepers put up with them opening so late in the morning, guess because less cash is used these days.

There's a few banks in Canada that charge no fees, but they're virtual banks vs. a bricks and mortar kind. We use Simplii (Tangerine is the other one I'm aware of). There's zero fees, free cheques and etransfers etc, and we even have our mortgage through them. The part that irritates me is that they're part of larger banks (CIBC is the parent company of Simplii), yet those banks charge an arm and a leg for the same services.  
 
We keep an account at a bricks and mortar bank that we basically pay a la carte for services in case we ever need a non-virtual bank. The only time we've truly needed one is to set up an RDSP for our daughter.

I have two new emigrant friends to Canada from the UK, and they tell a completely different story than what you would have us believe. They have been here for three years.

I guess paying these prices with a monthly prescription, is better than not being able to get any. Prescriptions would have went the way of toilet paper. Hoarding seems to be the thing to do, at present.

Isn’t it strange how another immigrant poster has had the same experiences then isn’t it? I have accounts in both countries.  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2020-04-30 16:52:18

I am from the UK and yes at first the bank charges seemed high. When I moved to Canada I embraced the Canadian way of life. Bank charges! I get much better service from my Canadian Bank that I ever did from my UK bank.  
 
This is the Canadian way of life. We chose it. Would I go back to the UK? No and I don't know of many Ex-pat that would go back, especially at this time!

Honest my issue is their continued inability to correctly order cheque books for a business account. As said before here in the UK they are sent automatically. Bank staff here are generally poorly trained and not able to perform basic over the counter duties. This stuff is not rocket science and we do pay business account fees.