The Minister of Seniors and Rural and Remote Health has directed the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health, to review recent policy changes made to the pharmacy procurement process in all SHA operated long-term care homes.

The province says that, following a recommendation from Ombudsman Saskatchewan in 2019, the SHA introduced changes in an effort to improve consistency. The policy relates to the procurement of medication support, product delivery, oversight of quality, and after-hours access to pharmacy services. The province says unintended consequences for local suppliers were identified while implementing the updated policy.

Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley says, “After hearing concerns Saskatchewan residents have with this process, I have directed the SHA to withdraw this procurement, undertake a review of the process, and reassess its impact on long-term care home residents, pharmacies, health professionals and communities,”

There are 111 SHA owned and operated long-term care homes throughout Saskatchewan which currently have a variety of service arrangements with pharmacies. Throughout the review, the existing arrangements between long-term care homes and pharmacies will continue.