Usual and Customary Dispensing Fee
Oct 1994 Council Report
Mar/Apr 1994 Pharmacy Connection

The Prescription Drug Cost Regulation Ac requires community pharmacists to post their usual and customary dispensing fee for dispensing interchangeable products so that it can be read by a person presenting a prescription. For this purpose, a sign is provided by the College to be posted in the dispensary. Council agreed with the Bylaws and Legislation Committee recommendation that the posted usual and customary professional fee charged by the pharmacy is the maximum fee that may be charged for interchangeable products without prior explanation. This interpretation does not mean that a lesser fee cannot be charged under given circumstances. In the event that a pharmacist wishes to charge a fee greater than his or her usual and customary fee, this must be explained to the patient prior to dispensing the prescription.

The above interpretation is provided as a guide to pharmacists. A suitable explanation of professional fees for the information of consumers will be developed by the College.