In a resounding show of frustration with the government’s inaction during labor agreement negotiations, institutional pharmacists have voted overwhelmingly in favor of using pressure tactics as necessary.
Over 1,200 pharmacists employed in hospitals, CHSLDs, and seniors’ residences gathered for a meeting to empower the board of directors of the Association des pharmaciens des établissements de santé du Québec (A.P.E.S.) to take action.
Despite restrictions on measures that could affect public health, pharmacists have devised a strategy to gain the government’s attention without compromising patient care.
While the A.P.E.S. remains hopeful for a resolution by the holidays, if negotiations continue to stall, institutional pharmacists are prepared to withdraw from the Digital Health Record system for prescription management. The government’s recent announcement of pilot projects for digital record-keeping next spring has further fueled tensions.
In their efforts to control pharmacy costs, pharmacists have implemented various solutions to prevent medication wastage and recover expensive drugs. However, these essential protocols may be at risk if negotiations remain deadlocked, potentially leading to increased healthcare expenses for Quebec.
The A.P.E.S. plans to escalate their actions by abandoning administrative tasks, organizing protests, and engaging opposition MPs to amplify their demands. The goal is to draw attention to their grievances and emphasize the urgent need for a resolution after years of unsuccessful negotiations.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with the government’s disregard, pharmacists are prepared to escalate pressure gradually. The looming activation of pressure tactics underscores the urgency of the situation as pharmacists feel neglected and undervalued in the current negotiations.
Keyphrase: institutional pharmacists pressure tactics
