Centrum Pharmacy Blog

At Centrum Pharmacy, we believe patients should always have the freedom to choose where they fill their prescriptions and access pharmacist care. Unfortunately, recent practices by insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) threaten that choice through a tactic known as “patient steering.”

What is Patient Steering?

Patient steering happens when private insurers or PBMs direct patients to specific pharmacies within their Preferred Provider Networks (PPNs)—often large, corporately owned chains or mail-order services. Patients who don’t comply may face:

• Higher out-of-pocket costs
• Loss of drug plan coverage
• Travel burdens if no PPN pharmacy is nearby
• No option for in-person pharmacist consultation when restricted to mail-order

This is not about patient care—it’s about controlling prescriptions and profits.

Why the CPhA is Sounding the Alarm

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) has strongly opposed payer-directed care, stating it:

• Compromises the trusted relationship between patients and their pharmacists
• Creates conflicts of interest when PBMs are owned by insurers or drug companies
• Places independent pharmacies at a competitive disadvantage, threatening their survival

The CPhA is calling for federal and provincial regulation to:

• Restrict or ban unfair PPN arrangements
• Ensure fair competition between pharmacies
• Establish conflict of interest safeguards
• Enforce transparent, standardized audit practices so pharmacies aren’t unfairly penalized
• Protect patients’ right to free choice of pharmacy

Why This Matters for Patients in Orleans and Beyond

At Centrum Pharmacy, we see every day how important continuity of care is for patients. Our Complete, Comprehensive, Caring, Connected Care model depends on the pharmacist-patient relationship—not on a corporate algorithm deciding where you can go.

When patients are “steered” to a distant chain or forced into mail-order dispensing, they lose:

• Face-to-face counselling on medications, side effects, and lifestyle
• Trusted relationships with local pharmacists who know their health history
• Integrated care, especially when linked to their family doctor at Orleans Family Health Clinic

PPNs aren’t about saving patients money long-term—they are about centralizing power and squeezing out independent pharmacies.

Our Commitment at Centrum Pharmacy

• We fight for your right to choose your pharmacy
• We provide seamless, in-person support for complex prescriptions, chronic conditions, and new therapies
• We collaborate with your doctors for better health outcomes
• We ensure prescriptions are filled quickly, safely, and without corporate interference

You deserve care that is about your health, not about an insurer’s bottom line.

If you’ve been told you must go elsewhere for your prescriptions, come talk to us. Our team will help you navigate your coverage and protect your right to choose Centrum Pharmacy for the care you trust.

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.

Extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and wildfires are becoming more frequent. This World First Aid Day, themed “First Aid and Climate Change,” reminds us that having the right knowledge and supplies at home can save lives.

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Arthritis affects millions of Canadians, many of whom rely on multiple medications to manage their condition. This month is a reminder of the important role pharmacists play in supporting patients with arthritis — from ensuring safe medication use to helping manage pain and inflammation.

In Ontario, patients taking three or more prescriptions are eligible for a free MedsCheck review covered by OHIP. This one-on-one consultation allows pharmacists to review all medications, discuss potential side effects or interactions, and make sure each treatment is working as effectively as possible. For arthritis patients, this can mean better pain control, fewer complications, and improved quality of life.

You’re not alone in your journey with arthritis. Want to learn more? Explore resources from:

• Arthritis Society Canada
• Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance
• Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH)
• Canadian Spondylitis Association

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.

Each year, pharmacists and physicians across Canada weigh in on which over-the-counter (OTC) products they trust and recommend most. In the 2025 OTC survey, over 1,800 pharmacists and 800 physicians gave their expert input on 39 different product categories.

What does this mean for you?

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Did you know Centrum Pharmacy is independently owned and not restricted to corporate warehouses when medications are in short supply?

When a national drug shortage strikes—like the current one affecting commonly prescribed pain medications—it’s the independent pharmacies like Centrum Pharmacy that go the extra mile to keep patients cared for and protected.

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The ongoing shortage of family doctors in Ontario is a challenge felt deeply by our community in Orleans, with millions of residents left without a primary care provider. At Centrum Pharmacy, we have been working tirelessly to address this issue by recruiting and sponsoring physicians to practice in our community. We are incredibly proud to have helped connect thousands of residents with a family doctor through our efforts, having recruited an impressive twelve physicians to the Orleans community over the last 15 years.

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In our modern age of quick fixes and pharmaceutical solutions, it’s easy to overlook the profound healing power that lies within our own bodies. Exercise, often underestimated in its therapeutic potential, emerges as a potent remedy for a wide array of common ailments. From stress and anxiety to chronic pain and even mild depression, regular physical activity offers a natural, sustainable path to wellness.

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As we move into fall and winter, respiratory viruses make a strong comeback. This year, you can protect yourself and your loved ones against the three major threats:

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With the catchy ads and constant social media chatter, it’s hard to avoid the buzz around GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. Originally intended for managing Type 2 diabetes, these drugs have become increasingly popular for weight loss, creating a whirlwind of ethical debates and a frustrating shortage for those who need them most. While it’s easy to get swept up in the “I just asked” trend, it’s crucial to look beyond the convenience and examine the quality of care being provided.

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In recent months, we’ve seen a troubling spike in fake diabetes products being promoted on social media platforms and online. These scams—ranging from counterfeit smartwatches that claim to non-invasively measure blood sugar to unauthorized oral drops mimicking GLP-1 medications—pose serious health risks for people living with diabetes.

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