The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) has expressed significant reservations on several occasions in recent months regarding certain claims made by the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ), the Québec Order of Pharmacists, particularly those implying the right to prescribe drugs and administer vaccinations. >>>

The Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) recently made public its findings following the investigation of three health cooperatives in different regions of Quebec with regard to fees charged to insured persons. The government authorities, who launched the investigations after the release of media reports, have once again failed to consider the problem at its source to resolve it in a global perspective. True to form, they passed the file on to the RAMQ, a much simpler approach than taking a clear position on a politically sensitive issue. >>>

For three years now, we have made the organization of care and support for our practices essential conditions for promoting the value of family medicine. The computerization of first line settings, particularly medical clinics, is moving in this direction since it is a way to facilitate the work of general practitioners, while offering potential gains in terms of efficiency. Computerization was also an important issue in our most recent negotiations. >>>

For the first time in the history of the FMOQ, all members were invited to vote on a draft general agreement. The final decision as to whether to accept or reject the agreement that would govern our working conditions until March 2015 was therefore turned over to our members. >>>

The FMOQ did not spare any effort in compiling a complete list of demands adapted to the reality of medical practice in 2010 and responding to the expectations of general practitioners. This list of demands was submitted to the government on March 3, 2010. From that time on, there have been many new developments, turnarounds and rethinking of positions, in particular on the part of the government. Nevertheless, the FMOQ never changed course or priorities throughout the discussions over the last 15 months: to see to it that credit is given to the true value of the multifaceted work and the high quality of general practitioners in Quebec, to truly recognize the value of comprehensive patient care and to decrease the wage differential that has grown over the myears between ourselves and our specialist colleagues. >>>