A dispute between Medavie Blue Cross and Shoppers Drug Mart has some customers in Atlantic Canada concerned about their prescription drug options.

The two groups haven't reached a new agreement on how much Blue Cross is willing to pay pharmacies to help cover the cost of prescription drugs since their contract expired a few months ago.

So starting Monday, most Shoppers pharmacies in Atlantic Canada will no longer accept Blue Cross cards for direct pay service.

'I don't want to change my pharmacy, but at the same time, the amount of money we spend on our medications, it's going to be very inconvenient.'—Judy LeBlanc, Shoppers Drug Mart customer

That means Blue Cross customers such as Judy LeBlanc, of Quispamsis, N.B., will have to pay full price for their drugs up front and be reimbursed later, or fill their prescriptions at a different pharmacy that still honours the Blue Cross card.

LeBlanc, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, has been a customer at Shoppers for 15 years.

"I used to say jokingly that I must have had a share in Shoppers Drug Mart by now because I spend so much money there, for my health," said LeBlanc.

She spends thousands of dollars a year on puffers and doesn't want to have to pay more money up front, she said.

But she doesn't want to leave Shoppers either.

She said she picks up her puffers and antibiotics biweekly and her pharmacy team knows her so well they can tell if she's having a difficult day, just by the sound of her voice.

"I'm comfortable, I feel safe going there.…They often will call to see how I'm doing and if there's anything they can do for me," said LeBlanc.

"I can't imagine getting that same bond that I would have at my present pharmacy. And if that does happen, it's going to take a long time, it's not going to happen overnight.

"So I don't want to change my pharmacy, but at the same time, the amount of money we spend on our medications, it's going to be very inconvenient."

Blue Cross spokesman Mike Randall, who is based in Moncton, said he remains optimistic a deal can be reached.

"We're hoping to hear back from [Shoppers] and be able to move forward and find a resolution that at the end of the day is good for customers," he said.

Randall would not, however, speculate on when talks might resume.