- You may have the prescription filled by another pharmacist, there or elsewhere.
- You may refuse a service and ask to know the costs in advance.
- The Ordre asks pharmacists to recognize and reduce their conflicts of interest.
What does the Ordre’s guide say about free choice?
It asks pharmacists to respect their patients’ free choice, whether in their own setting or elsewhere. It also says that by handing you the prescription after a consultation, the pharmacist makes this freedom easier, and that they may send it to the pharmacist of your choice.
Why talk about conflicts of interest?
Because the right to prescribe, sell and administer a drug places the pharmacist in a conflict of interest, real or apparent, according to the guide. The Pharmacy Act also prohibits them from prescribing or substituting a drug made by a company in which they have a direct or indirect interest, except as set by regulation.
How are the risks reduced?
- The guide recommends that one pharmacist prescribe and another fill the prescription when possible, which reduces the risk of error and of conflict of interest.
- The pharmacist must be able to justify their clinical decisions. The guide also invites them to ask whether they presented several options, with or without a drug.
- The guide asks them to recognize what may influence their decision, such as performance indicators or financial incentives.
Can I refuse?
Yes. The Ordre’s guide states that you have the right to refuse any service offered, and asks the pharmacist to first obtain your agreement and mention the fee for each paid activity.
What questions should I ask?
- What are my options, including without a drug?
- What are the associated risks and costs?
- Can I get the prescription to have it filled elsewhere?
- What follow-up is planned, and with whom?
For fees, see who pays for the new services.
Sources: OPQ, practice guide on prescribing (in French) · OPQ, practice guide on prescribing (in French) · OPQ, practice guide on prescribing (in French) · OPQ, practice guide on prescribing (in French) · OPQ, practice guide on prescribing (in French) · OPQ, practice guide on prescribing (in French) · OPQ, practice guide on professional activities (in French)
General information based on the publications cited. This text does not replace professional or legal advice, or the Ordre’s guides.