Detailed invoice

Cost price of the drug paid by the pharmacist

The cost price of the drug is the actual price the pharmacist pays.
It does not include a profit margin for the pharmacy.

Amount paid to the distributor by the pharmacist

In addition to the cost price paid for the drug, the pharmacist pays the distributor an amount set by the government for ensuring drug supplies. It does not include a profit margin for the pharmacy.

Professional fees

Professional fees are included in the total price which appears on your invoice. They do not represent a net benefit to the owner-pharmacist. The fees include all direct and indirect expenses related to the professional service and to maintain pharmacy operations. In fact, the amount that appears under professional fees includes several items:

• Pharmaceutical evaluation: validation of the prescription, analysis of the patient file and counselling services
• Preparation and verification of the medication
• Professional responsibility for monitoring the drug therapy throughout the course of the treatment
• Operating expenses related to the pharmacy’s operations (salaries, rent, computer equipment, specialized devices, electricity, financial expenses, etc.) so as to provide quality service that is readily accessible through extended opening hours.

Publicly insured patients

The contribution of patients covered under the public plan, which includes the deductible and co-insurance, is set by the government, based on various criteria. For more information, please contact the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (the Quebec health insurance board, or RAMQ).
1 800 561-9749 or visit the RAMQ website at www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca

Privately insured patients

The contribution of patients covered under a private plan is set by the insurer, based on the patient’s coverage plan. The pharmacist has no information on the provisions of the patient’s private insurance plan. For more information on the provisions of your private insurance plan.
For more information, please contact your employer or your insurer.

RGAM price

The price paid by the RGAM (Régime général d’assurance médicaments, the prescription drug insurance plan) corresponds to the price payable by the RAMQ for the medication that private insurers are also required to cover. This price does not include professional fees, and applies only to the cost of the medication and the amount paid to the distributor.