The College would like to remind Designated Managers and pharmacists providing services to long-term care homes of their obligations under the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act (DIDFA):
10. Every person who dispenses a drug pursuant to a prescription shall provide with the drug, in the manner prescribed by the regulations, particulars of the amount charged. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.23, s. 10
The Regulations (Reg. 936 – Notice to Patients) specify:
4. (1) A person who dispenses a drug pursuant to a prescription shall provide a receipt to the person to whom the drug is supplied at the same time that the drug is supplied that sets out the amount being charged in respect of,
(a) a dispensing fee;
(b) the cost of the drug; and
(c) the total price of the prescription. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 936, s. 4 (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a drug that does not require a prescription. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 936, s. 4 (2); O. Reg. 205/96, s. 4.
As set out in OCP’s Standards for Pharmacists Providing Services to Licensed Long-Term Care Facilities:
2.3 Invoicing and Receipts
Legislation dictates that pharmacists must provide receipts to all patients including those in long-term care facilities at the time of dispensing.
2.3.1 The pharmacist provides receipts to residents of long-term care facilities in a manner that is mutually acceptable to the resident or agent, the pharmacist as well as the facility.
2.3.2 The pharmacist invoices residents of long-term care facilities in a manner acceptable to residents or their agents.
When providing itemized statements or invoices in lieu of individual prescription receipts, pharmacies are expected to comply with DIDFA and OCP Standards.