Report: Jean Coutu criticizes government negotiations regarding dispensing fees

Jean Coutu founder Jean Coutu spoke out regarding negotiations with Quebec around dispensing fees, according to a report published last week by Canada's Bell Media. Jean Coutu earlier this year agreed to surrender $300 million in collected dispensing fees in return for smaller manufacturer rebates that cut into pharmacy operating margins. "It is an average of $100,000 for each of our locations," Coutu told shareholders BellMedia reported. "It was extremely difficult to digest." (Bell Media)