Petition set up against proposal to ban loyalty rewards for some prescriptions

More than 10,000 people have already signed a petition asking the next provincial government to reject a proposal to ban loyalty rewards for some prescriptions purchased at B.C. pharmacies.

Set up by the Coalition for Consumer Choice (CCC) the petition states “The next government will consider banning loyalty rewards for non-government-paid prescriptions at BC pharmacies.”

In September 2012, the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia first proposed eliminating the ability of individuals to collect loyalty rewards on non-government paid prescriptions at B.C. pharmacies, but the College has delayed considering such a ban until after the provincial election.

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“Many of our members rely on reward programs to help make purchases more affordable,” said Roxanne Stewart, Vice President of the Chronic Pain Association of Canada. “If the government approves this ban, then what purchases will be banned next? B.C. voters need to tell the politicians to maintain the status quo on reward programs.”

The Coalition has launched the “I Earned It” petition at www.iearnedit.ca

According to a public opinion poll conducted by the CCC, three-quarters of British Columbians think it would be unfair for government to take away their right to earn loyalty rewards, and almost half believe candidates should take a clear position on this issue before the May 14 election. Seventy-one per cent of British Columbians participate in loyalty programs.

“The coalition wants to ensure British Columbians can continue earning rewards when they purchase non-government-paid prescription medication,” said Randy Konrad, Regional Pharmacy Manager with Canada Safeway. “Loyalty programs build stronger bonds between patients and their pharmacists and encourage better patient adherence to prescription medication.”