Review board rules that pharmacist who denied flu shot to patient did not discriminate against him

A Toronto pharmacist accused of discrimination by a patient who was denied a flu shot has again been cleared of the allegations.The case dates back to October 26, 2016, when a patient went to a Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy to get a flu shot.However, when the patient did not have an OHIP card, the pharmacist and designated manager at the Shoppers directed the patient to a nearby public health facility, where flu shots were also being administered.On November 1, the patient filed a complaint.“The (patient’s) concern that he was denied the vaccination because he is a foreigner forms the basis of this complaint,” said the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB).The patient also said that the pharmacist did not properly explain why the vaccination was denied.But in filings, the pharmacist explained that when the pharmacy assistant attempted to run the patient’s information through the system, an error message popped up and the claim was denied.The committee noted that pharmacists can, in fact, administer flu shots to patients without OHIP cards if they are over five years of age and can prove that they study, live or work in the province.But the pharmacist said he wasn’t aware of that stipulation, and the case notes some confusion over the patient's UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) profile.“If I was aware that I could inject Toronto Public Health Flu Vaccine supply to patients that don’t have a valid OHIP card, I would have gladly done so free of charge in the interest of patient care and convenience,” said the pharmacist in case filings.When the patient said he would pay for the vaccination out of his own pocket, the pharmacy manager explained that he was not allowed to charge for the shots.According to the pharmacy manager, the patient then “asked for my business card, which I handed out to him, and said that he’ll sue me and left the store,” records show.After the patient’s first formal complaint, the review board committee decided to take no action.The patient asked the HPARB to review the case again, adding that the pharmacist’s license “must be revoked to prevent future Ukrainoiphobic actions,” filings show.“The Committee investigated the complaint and decided to take no action. The Board confirms that decision,” said the release.The board released its decision online at the end of May. The pharmacist and the complainant were not named in the file.

Review board rules that pharmacist who denied flu shot to patient did not discriminate against him

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics

Business Topic