The Pharmacy Association is raising the alarm over a recent decision by Manulife to restrict coverage of 260 specialty prescription medications to Loblaws-owned or affiliated pharmacies.

PANL says it’s an example of Preferred Pharmacy Agreements seen in the United States growing on this side of the border.

The change is already raising serious concerns among patients in this province. Labrador West MHA Jordan Brown last week pointed out that a majority of workers in Lab West are insured by Manulife, yet the nearest Loblaw pharmacy is hundreds of miles away.

Executive Board member with the Pharmacists’ Association, Kara O’Keefe, says Preferred Pharmacy Agreements remove patient choice.

She says PANL is suggesting to patients who feel negatively affected by the change to contact their employer, their insurance provider or the NL Pharmacy Board whose job is to protect patient safety.