Apologies to Bylo for me kind of dropping out of the more policy part of this story, as I am not an ON resident so my focus/concern is that of an potential SC investor, not as an ON taxpayer. Also, I'll skip the ad hominem based on the woman's name....(I'm juvenile, tell me something I don't know)
Connie Woodcock wrote:
Until four years ago, I had always had drug coverage. I never gave a thought to pharmacies’ dispensing fees or whether I was getting a generic drug or the original product. When you’re not paying, you really don’t care. But when my husband retired, those things suddenly mattered.
So it really irks me to hear the chorus of whining and complaining now rising from Ontario’s pharmacies. They don’t want to fix their business plans — they want me to continue making major contributions to their bottom line.
So it really irks me to hear the chorus of whining and complaining now rising from Ontario’s drug consuming population. They don’t want to pay market rate for anything, they want corporations (like SC, Rexall, etc) to continue making major donations to their personal consumption basket. Who doesn't want to be subsidized but at least be honest about the desire for government transfers. Call a spade and spade. I am happy with the transfer from society I receive from the public library but it is just that, a transfer through which I line my own pocket.
Connie Woodcock wrote:
So they’ll have to cut hours, maybe even stop staying open until midnight. How many pharmacies need to be open that late anyway? I remember a time when there was exactly one in all of Toronto.
In my community, although there’s a drugstore, the pharmacist doesn’t work weekends and you can’t even buy an Aspirin until Monday.
Cut services? Be my guest. I don’t need my pharmacist’s constant advice and I don’t need him to give me a vaccination or a blood pressure test. My doctor and the local health unit do those jobs just fine, thanks.
The world has moved on....apparently without Connie Woodcock (resisting rude reference to that name again). Personally, as a consumer, I am happy when businesses are open 24/7. Hell, I'm happy when businesses open giving me more options as a consumer. And whatever happened to 'if you don't like it, just don't shop there'? If SC, doesn't add value for you as a consumer, don't shop there but as far as getting in the way of me or anyone else and SC transacting? Come on! Also, I can imagine that Ms Woodcock would be very angry upon being discharged from a hospital on Dec 24th and realizing that SC or Rexall are the ONLY places in most jurisdictions that are open 24/7/365. And no the hospital will not always give a discharging patient everything he/she needs.
Connie Woodcock wrote:
I expect my doctor to keep an eye on the drugs he’s prescribing in case there’s a conflict. All I want my pharmacist to do is dispense my drugs accurately.
Oh, and stop calling me your “patient.” I’m your customer. We have a business, not a health care relationship and stop pretending otherwise.
There are a few other things I don’t need in many pharmacies.
Maybe there's a legitimate debate there. Are pharmacists necessary? Dunno, outside of my circle of competence so I'll defer to the status quo.
Connie Woodcock wrote:
For instance, when did it become necessary for Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall to sell milk, bread and other groceries? Isn’t that what supermarkets and corner stores are for?
Oh yeah, I forgot. Pharmacies can’t sell cigarettes any more so they’ve had to get creative. And you have to admit charging double what a product is worth and then being paid to stock it is pretty creative.
Good thing Tsar Woodcock has decreed the universe be free of businesses (and by extension, their customers) deciding what should sit on their shelves. Bylo had some valid points with the tobacco products but now we're so far down the slippery slope I've stepped in dogshit. Not sure if this woman is an idiot who believes this nonsense or if she is simply talking her book. How about pharmaceuticals be priced at market rate, w/o any government intervention on pricing whatsoever.
Remember kids, torches are hot, pitchforks are sharp and villagers are dangerous in large groups.