Pharmacy Services Access Grant
Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW) and the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) are pleased to announce the Pharmacy Services Access Grant.
A key component of Phase 2 of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy is to implement a new payment model for pharmacy services. As part of the phased roll-out of a new payment model, transition funding is being made available to eligible pharmacies in rural and remote areas. This funding will assist with the operation of these pharmacies during the transition between new pricing rules for government-sponsored drug plans and the implementation of a new compensation model.
The grant will be administered by RxA and will become available on May 21, 2010.
Eligibility Criteria
Under this grant, a pharmacy receives points for each criterion that it meets. The more criteria that a pharmacy meets, the greater the number of points it receives and, in turn, the greater the amount of funding provided. A pharmacy is not required to meet all criteria to be eligible for funding.
Each pharmacy is allocated points in the following categories:
Pharmacy Points – Awarded depending on the number of retail pharmacies in the community on May 21, 2010, as provided by the Alberta College of Pharmacists registry.
- 1 Pharmacy = 70 points
- 2 Pharmacies = 50 points
- 3 Pharmacies = 30 points
- 4 Pharmacies = 10 points
Population Points – Awarded if a community has a population of less than 30,000 on March 31, 2010, as provided by AHW.
- Less than 5,000 = 25 points
- 5,000 to 10,000 = 15 points
- 10,000 to 30,000 = 10 points
Regional Centre Points – Awarded if a community is located at least 70 km from the city limits of Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, or Red Deer, as of March 31, 2010.
- First 70 km = 4 points
- Each additional 35 km = 2 points
- Maximum 30 points
Latitude Points – Awarded if a community is located at 54 degrees latitude or further north as measured from the centre of that community.
- 54 and 55 degrees = 20 points
- 56 degrees and greater = 30 points
Individual funding for eligible stores will be calculated based on the total points earned.
What’s Next?
More specific details about the Pharmacy Services Access Grant, including eligibility amount and application process, will be mailed to eligible pharmacies May 21, 2010.
Questions?
Jason Joseph, RxA Pharmacist Consultant, will oversee the management of this grant. For questions or assistance, contact Jason at (email) jason.joseph@rxa.ca or (phone) 780.990.0326 ext. 23.
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