Couple of major updates.
1) Recent Ontario Pharmacist Association Meeting notes
On November 23, 2021, the Ontario Pharmacist Association (OPA) hosted a virtual townhall to discuss symptomatic COVID-19 testing in pharmacists. A major issue is that the video for the meeting is only accessible to members only so the meeting was summarized to provide key details and takeaways:
- The symptomatic COVID-19 testing program was already discussed between the OPA government for many months according to them yet they were unable to discuss it to the public due to them being bound by confidentiality agreements. As such information released to the public was inconsistent according to them (OPA)
- Many questions submitted to meeting were related to safety, capacity, choice, and reimbursement.
- The OPA claimed that they worked really hard to get the information to head offices, individual pharmacies effectively and efficiently
- When they discussed about accessibilty as an issue and why they wanted symptomatic testing in pharmacies, CEO Justin Bates brought up the scenario of of a single mother via social media (archived link) who had to wait (public testing centre for several days with 2 kids) and had to stay home longer and this access really affected them in terms of convenience and timeliness for schedule. In contrast, while they acknowledged pharmacists concerns and safety, they repeated that the testing guidelines were vetted by public health, they it can be safely done inside, and repeated claims that choice will be respected (despite not mentioning about pharmacists who are concerned about saying no and being penalized for it).
- A survey was sent to pharmacies via the Ministry of Health (archived link) for those interested in participating
- Symptomatic testing can either by done outside, indoors, drop-off only, and pick up (pharmacy dispenses the test kit) and drop off. Originally, the plan was supposed to be indoors only. Not a lot was mentioned on the types of PPE required or the specific indoor specifications (ventilation, separate entrances/exits) whether inspection is required prior to clearance) required for indoor testing to be safe
- Compensation: Pharmacies, not pharmacists are reimbursed (see the survey link). Testing is publicly funded. The meeting did not mention of whether pharmacists that have to self isolate due to a positive result are compensated for this.
- Testing (pharmacist does the test, either indoors or outdoors): $20 for assessment + $22 for specimen (same as asymptomatic PCR testing but with more risks involved). No mention of hazard pay was brought up in meeting
- Drop off only: $15 for specimen plus up to up to $140/day for specimen transportation to designated laboratory for processing
- Distributing test kits and drop off: $20 for assesment (to ensure they qualify) + $15 for specimen plus up to up to $140/day for specimen transportation to designated laboratory for processing
- Rapid molecular point of care testing (Northern Ontario only): $20 Assessment Fee and $22 Specimen Collection Fee (same as asymptomatic covid-19 testing but with more risks involved). Npo mention of hazard pay was brought up in meeting
2) Discussion with MPPs
I have emailed an MPP regarding this issue. Online petitions are great at raising awareness but the best way to move forward for all of you is to contact your local MPP and bring up the issues/concerns. An alternative option is to collect signatures and then submit it to your local MPP to read at Queens Park. (see https://www.ola.org/en/get-involved/petitions). List of MPPs and their contact is located here
3) Other petitions
There is another petition happening at https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/stop-symptomatic-covid-testing-at-ontario-pharmacies. I contacted the author who made this and we can use both petitions to increase awareness. They are not meant to compete with each other. Signing both petitions is important to get the message across