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The Association of Allied Health Professionals (AAHP) says the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health is refusing to continue paying a labour market adjustment to pharmacists, thus treating them unfairly compared to hospital pharmacists and in the process making it more difficult to recruit and retain pharmacists within the department.
St. John's (21 July 2009) - There is a shortage of pharmacists at the Dept of Health. These pharmacists work under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. The shortage is causing delays in processing claims under the NLPDP.
Sharon King, Executive Director is raising the question as to why the Pharmacists employed by government are being treated differently from pharmacists employed by hospitals.
A number of years ago, a critical shortage of pharmacists, spurred the health boards and government to initiate a Labour Market Adjustment in order to recruit and retain pharmacists.
The LMA has continued for hospital pharmacists, however, government has not continued to pay it to its own employees. This is making recruitment of qualified pharmacists almost impossible and certainly creates an atmosphere where retention of those pharmacists questionable.
This issue was discussed with Treasury board officials and the former Minister of Health and the union received indications that the Labour Market Adjustment would continue for the government pharmacists. The continuation has not happened. Calls and emails to the government department by the union have not been returned.
For further information contact: Sharon King, Executive Director, 722-3353 or (cell)682-4233