Manitoba looking into forcing drug stores to advertise dispensing fees

WINNIPEG – Manitoba is looking at becoming one of the first provinces in Canada to force pharmacies to disclose how much people have to pay to get their prescriptions filled.

The NDP government is facing pressure from supporters to get pharmacies to list dispensing fees so that consumers can shop around for the best price.

A spokeswoman for Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux says the government is looking into how to make the fees more transparent.

Winnipeg backbencher Deanne (DEE’-Anne) Crothers says she has been pushing the government to do something about dispensing fees after hearing concerns from seniors.

She says dispensing fees — which can range from $4.50 up to $13 a prescription — affect everyone, especially people with refills.

A survey by Royal Bank last year found Manitoba residents pay the highest average dispensing fees in the country.