The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, June 10, edition that Ontario's pharmacy regulator announced on Monday that the province's proposed restrictions on exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies are a positive step but should be strengthened for patient safety. A triple bylined item led by Chris Hannay writes that the province is currently holding a second public consultation on preferred provider networks (PPNs), which can limit where patients obtain medication. The consultation proposes two options for restricting the deals: "any able and willing provider" legislation that would allow any pharmacy to join an insurer's network if they met the necessary criteria; and "standardized and mandatory exemptions" that would allow any patient to go outside a network if they met conditions set by a regulator. The province leaves it open to whether it could pursue either, both or neither option. The Ontario College of Pharmacists board has been considering a crackdown on PPNs since last year, adopting a "zero tolerance" stance on closed networks in July. At its recent meeting, the board reviewed consultation proposals, suggesting they could be enhanced to ensure patient choice, continuity and access to care.