Stop unilateral wage rollback for BC’s hospital pharmacists

Pharmacists can make a difference if we speak up. Please use this form to write a letter explaining your concerns in the box below or use the pre-written text we've provided as an example.

On January 6, 2012, the Health Employers Association of BC suddenly announced a unilateral 9%-14% wage rollback for BC’s hospital pharmacists. HEABC’s plan to eliminate a market wage adjustment will aggravate an ongoing staffing shortage in BC’s hospital pharmacies, putting all British Columbians at risk. Help us tell government to stop the health employers’ ill-considered plan, and help us protect BC’s health care system.

Use the form below to enter your name and email then write a letter explaining your concerns in the box below or use the pre-written text we've provided as an example.

Your email will be sent directly to:

Honourable Christy Clark, BC Premier
Honourable Mike de Jong, BC Minister of Health
Health Employers Association of BC
Honourable Adrian Dix, Leader of the Official Opposition
Honourable Mike Farnworth, Opposition Health Critic

It will also be cc'd to the following health authority chairs:

Kip Woodward, Chair, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Don Hubbard, Chair, Vancouver Island Health Authority
Norman Embree, Chair, Interior Health Authority
David W. Mitchell, Chair, Fraser Health Authority
Dr. Chuck Jago, Chair, Northern Health Authority
Wynne Powell, Chair, Provincial Health Services Authority
Geoff Plant, Providence Health Care

Your letter will be more effective if you also cc your local MLA. Please choose from the pulldown menu:

(You can look up your MLA's name by postal code)

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I am writing in support of BC’s hospital pharmacists, and the patients who depend on their clinical expertise.

By suddenly imposing a unilateral wage rollback on hospital pharmacists, the Health Employers Association of BC is jeopardizing the province’s health care system.

As you are aware, hospitals across BC have been suffering critical recruitment and retention problems in their pharmacy departments. In recognition of these difficulties, HEABC agreed in 2006 to a market wage adjustment to stem the flow of pharmacists away from BC hospitals. Even with the adjustment, most BC hospital pharmacies are still understaffed. Ongoing hospital vacancies remain unfilled for years. As a result, hospital pharmacists are overworked. Those who remain are still in the health system because of their dedication to patients and the passion for their profession.

Many pharmacists have written to their union to express their anger with HEABC; some have noted that with this insult, they are seriously considering early retirement. You may be interested to note that 17% of hospital pharmacists -- 155 of 905 in BC – are currently eligible for retirement.

Hospital pharmacists do more than count pills and dispense drugs. They ensure the best possible clinical care and treatment of patients, including advising doctors on medications. They prepare chemotherapy drugs. They collaborate with other health professionals in educating and caring for patients.

Hospital pharmacists undergo extra training in order to perform the clinical duties required in a health care setting. Five years of post-secondary education is basic, usually with residency experience. Many have six or more years of advanced university training.

Pharmacists ensure effective and safe treatment of patients: medication counseling, drug therapy monitoring, and diagnosing and resolving drug-related adverse effects are all part of the job. Hospital pharmacists also work to mitigate critical drug shortages and recalls. With the hospitals short-staffed, medication safety becomes a serious issue.

One or two serious patient incidents as a result of pharmacist short-staffing are likely to cost the health system more money than what HEABC will save with their wage rollback.

Please don’t let HEABC make this mistake. I urge you to ensure hospital pharmacists receive the fair and reasonable compensation commensurate with their invaluable expertise.

Fill in this box with your letter, or use the text we've provided as an example. Remember that original letters are more effective. The final text will be sent along with your name and email.