TORONTO, April 27, 2017 /CNW/ - The Ontario Pharmacists Association supports today's announcement of the OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare effective January 1, 2018. As professionals who pride themselves on the provision of accessible, high quality care to Ontarians, pharmacists support the plan to ensure that all children and youth get the medications they need with no financial barriers.

"As front line healthcare providers, pharmacists understand the need for affordable, accessible medications," says Sean Simpson, Chair of the Board at OPA. "We're supportive of a program that increases access to medications for young Ontarians and which ensures these patients have more options for maintaining their medication therapies and for accessing services within the healthcare system."

Under OHIP+, children and youth 24 years of age and under will have access to universal drug coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program. However, with OHIP+, there are no income restrictions, no deductibles and no co-payments. The Ontario Pharmacists Association believes that income must not be a barrier to patients' ability to access medication therapy, and that a plan like OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare must provide patients with access to a full range of pharmacy services (ideally comparable to those services available in other Canadian jurisdictions) to help them achieve better health, better care and better value.

"It is important that pharmacy services be included at the initial stages of this package," says Simpson. "The Ontario Pharmacists Association and its members look forward to learning more about this program, the logistics associated with implementation and how it will impact Ontario's pharmacy professionals."

About the Ontario Pharmacists Association
The Ontario Pharmacists Association is committed to evolving the pharmacy profession, and advocating for excellence in practice and patient care. As Canada's largest advocacy organization, and professional development and drug information provider for pharmacists, the Association represents pharmacy professionals across Ontario. By leveraging the unique expertise of pharmacy professionals, enabling them to practice to their fullest potential, and making them more accessible to patients, OPA is working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system.

SOURCE Ontario Pharmacists Association

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