Alberta pharmacies will longer be allowed to accept loyalty points or rewards cards when selling drug prescriptions.
In a decision released on Thursday, The Alberta College of Pharmacists say they will prohibit any inducements on drugs and professional services.
They say too many people are making decisions on when and where to fill prescriptions based on the points they can earn.
The College of Pharmacists claims some people are delaying prescriptions to get more points, or asking for more medication than needed.
They say, seeing a pharmacist should be based on professional advice and service – and not on what type of reward you can receive.
It’s not yet known when the ban on loyalty cards would go into effect.
Big box pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart and Safeway have opposed the plan.
They say reward programs encourage healthy behaviours, and banning them would restrict competition.
CLICK HERE to read the ACP’s reward programs research highlights.
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