Epi-Pens Are Available in Canada Without a Prescription

Cayley's Mom, as I just posted to you in another thread re this, it's wonderful that you found out about this. I'm going to go into the Canadians thread now and simply refer them to this post. Best wishes!

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I posted this elsewhere also but thought it really should go here too.

For those of you in Ontario, Canada and purchasing them be sure to negotiate the price. For example I paid only one dispensing fee for 5 pens rather than 5 dispensing fees. Also the price was significantly reduced once I informed the pharmacy that an insurance company drug plan was paying. They had to re-do the invoice. When I inquired why I was told that the retail price is higher than what the drug companies or the government drug plan will pay. The pharmacist told me people need to learn to negotiate! I called several other drug stores, private and chains, and learned that they also differentiate prices but will give the lower price if questioned!!! The difference in prices charged varied by as much as $25.00 per pen at some pharmacies.

Remember also to insist on expiry dates that are a long way away. I refused to take the first batch of pens that I was offered because I only take pens with an expiry date that is at least 2 years away. Hope this helps. Take care.

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I spoke to my pharmacy this morning and no, you cannot purchase an epi-pen here without a prescription. Seems like it's only in Ontario.

That's too bad, Arachide. I was happy to be able to give you good news, only for it not to apply to you (thank you, Lucien Bouchard???). Did they give you a reason? Another question I wanted to ask, but didn't need to, was would they let you purchase an Epi-Pen in the case of an emergency - ie. someone has a reaction in the food court of a mall, run to the drug store and get an Epi-Pen - then you don't have to wait for the medics to arrive. Maybe if you pester them, they'll say "Alright, alright! We'll see what we can do!"

Although my pharmacist says this is a Canada-wide policy, this doesn't apply in Quebec, so I will find out how it affects the other provinces, and post when I get the answer. Take care. Carolyn

Carolyn - I was given the wrong info!!!! Just to be sure, I double-checked with Shopper's Drug Mart in my region (known as Pharmaprix in Quebec). They told me that it's true, you DON'T need a prescription to purchase epi-pens in Quebec. A 3rd call to a different pharmacy yielded the same response. It looks like my neighbourhood pharmacy is a little out-to-lunch (I only go there 'cuz it's walking distance for me). Good thing I don't rely on them for my pa info!!!!!!

By the way, both pharmacies that gave me the correct info claim that epi-pens purchased without Rx cannot be reimbursed by insurance.

-don't get me started about BouBou, or as my papa calls him "&&&!!!%^**"... [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by arachide (edited October 04, 2000).]

Hi, Arachide. Check with your insurance company about the non-prescription pen because it depends on your individual plan. My husband's plan covers them even non-prescription but my plan does not.

Come to think of it, my hubby's insurance plan requires us to submit the original cash register receipt for reimbursements. They've never asked for a copy of the Rx, so how would they know I purchased pens without a Rx.

I just spoke to our insurance company (The Great West Life Assurance Company) and they gave me the following info. on reimbursement.

Epipens purchased at a pharmacy are NOT reimbursed through our insurance plan. The pharmacist cannot dispense a medication without a prescription, and our insurance co. needs the dispensation # to reimburse. A pharmacist can SELL a medication, but he cannot DISPENSE it without a script. A doctor can write a script after the fact, but it is still not reimbursible because the original receipt does not have the dispensing # on it. I hope this is clear.

Arachide - I always enjoy reading your posts! My husband got quite a chuckle from BouBou the B*tthead! Here we have to deal with Mike Harris the Horrible (pretty much the only printable name we have for him!). Take care! Carolyn

[This message has been edited by Cayley's Mom (edited October 04, 2000).]

I edited the "B*tthead" part - didn't want to start a political brouhaha (boubouhaha?) [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I'll be calling our insurance co. today or tomorrow and see what they say, if anything, about a dispensation #.

Interesting and informative points.
Regarding the dispensing fees, i noted that at Shoppers Drug Mart they will charge a disp. fee for each item, while at others (Hy &Zels for eg.) they only charge once.
Also some disp. fees are twice as much as others places.
Except in emergencies as mentioned, i would get the perscription so we can easily be re-imbursed by the insur. co.

Redtruck, I negotiated with my Shopper's location and they charged me only one dispensing fee. I told them that I was not willing to pay a fee for each pen and that I would not take them if they insisted on that. They immediately charged me for only 1 fee. My insurance was paying but I still do not like gouging.