Prescription Renewals: How Does It Work?
As per clinic policy, it is the patient’s responsibility to track when their medication refills are running low.
Please note that a fax request from your pharmacy does not automatically renew your prescription—an appointment with your family doctor is typically required.
We kindly ask that patients call to book an appointment in advance, as it can sometimes take 2-3 months to get in to see your doctor.
Running Out of Medication Before Your Appointment?
If you are running low on medication before your scheduled visit:
- Contact your pharmacy
- Inform them of your upcoming appointment date
- Request a short-term prescription extension from your pharmacist to cover you until the appointment
Please note: Prescription extensions are done at the pharmacist’s discretion, and there may be a standard charge for this service.
New: Prescription Renewal Fee Without a Visit
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- Effective immediately, a $25 administrative fee will apply to prescription renewals processed without a scheduled visit.
- This includes all refill requests whether requested by you or your pharmacy without a scheduled medical appointment.
- This fee helps cover the cost of uninsured services that are not funded by OHIP, including the physician’s time and clinic resources.
** Please note: The pharmacy across the hall, Centrum Pharmacy, does not charge fees for prescription extensions for their regular patients**
To avoid the fee, please book a “Prescription Renewal Visit” before your medication runs out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Prescription renewals requested without an appointment require time from both administrative staff and physicians. OHIP does not cover this work, and the fee helps offset rising operational costs.
Simply book a medical appointment—online or by phone. Renewals done during an appointment are not charged a fee.
No, patients must request renewals themselves. Pharmacy requests will no longer be accepted unless you’ve agreed to pay the $25 fee in advance.
Some medications require an appointment no matter what, including:
- Narcotics
- Antibiotics
- Unstable or monitored medications (e.g., diabetes, ADHD, hypertension)
Everyone has access to care. Book an appointment instead to avoid the charge. If you are in financial hardship or unable to visit in person (e.g., due to frailty), speak to our staff—exceptions may be granted case-by-case.
One renewal request (even for multiple medications) is one $25 fee. But if requests come in separately, each is charged individually.
You are responsible for booking your renewal appointment early—ideally when you pick up your last refill. If you decline an offered appointment and request a renewal instead, the $25 fee applies.
They do not charge to extend prescriptions until your appointment. Ask your pharmacist for this option if needed.
This policy aligns with guidance from the Ontario Medical Association and other clinics. It ensures timely, efficient care while reducing administrative overload.
A Final Note to Our Valued Patients
This fee is not about generating revenue. It is a necessary step to ensure that we can continue to offer the level of care, access, and professionalism that our patients have come to expect. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us streamline care and improve efficiency.
Thank you for your continued trust in our team.
Sincerely,
Orleans Family Health Clinic
