Alberta strikes new deal with pharmacists, dispensing fees to see small bump

Pharmacies in rural and remote parts of Alberta will be able to expand their services to offer health screenings, point-of-care testing, and acute condition ass

Albertans could soon start seeing their prescriptions cost a little bit more.

Primary Health Minister Justin Wright says the government has signed a new three-year funding agreement with pharmacists, and as part of the deal Alberta is increasing dispensing fees for the first time in a decade.

Dispensing fees are what pharmacists charge their patients or their patient’s drug plan per prescription.

The government says the maximum fee for prescriptions of less than 84 days of supply will be $12.35 under the new deal, up from the current $12.15.

For prescriptions of more than 84 days, the maximum dispensing fee is increasing to $13.50 from $12.15.

The government says the new agreement will see pharmacist compensation be boosted three per cent in each of the first two years and before a rate review is done in the final year based on how successful the deal is.

It also says it’s instituting a new $13,000 monthly cap on how much pharmacists can bill the government for clinical services provided to Albertans.

This includes administering vaccines, renewing prescriptions or doing medication reviews for patients living with chronic diseases.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2026.

The Canadian Press