VICTORIA — The B.C. government is refusing to do business with pharmacies that have a history of billing issues and of improperly filing information into patients' records in PharmaNet, the prescription-tracking network.
The crackdown on about 46 pharmacies is part of new regulations requiring all pharmacies to re-enrol with PharmaCare by May 31 and disclose information on ownership and management.
Letters have been sent to the affected pharmacies, which are in the Vancouver area, to inform them that they have 21 days to let the government know why they should be re-enrolled.
Health Minister Terry Lake says that until now, it could be hard for the government to cancel the enrolment of a pharmacy for breaking billing rules.
If the government refuses to enrol a pharmacy, it will contact patients so they have time to transfer their prescriptions to other pharmacies.
Suzanne Solven, deputy registrar of the College of Pharmacists of B.C., says that will ensure patients have continuity of care and provide pharmacies with the information they need.
