Pharmacare legislation includes universal access to
contraception and diabetes medications.
SCARBOROUGH, ON, May 24, 2024
/CNW/ - Canadians should have access to quality medicines,
regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. People
should not have to choose between paying for their medications and
putting food on the table. Unfortunately, many Canadians are still
forced to make this impossible decision.
Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health,
alongside the Honourable Kamal
Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with
Disabilities, reiterated the Government of Canada's commitment to make essential and
preventive medications more accessible and more affordable.
In February 2024, the Government
of Canada introduced C-64, the
Pharmacare Act, that puts forward the plan for the first
phase of national universal pharmacare in Canada and the intent to work with provinces
and territories to provide universal, single-payer coverage for a
number of contraceptives and diabetes medications. The
Pharmacare Act is a concrete step towards the vision of a
national pharmacare program that will improve the health of
Canadians and build a stronger public health care system.
Coverage for contraceptives will mean that nine million
Canadians of reproductive age will have better access to
contraception and support their sexual and reproductive
health. Cost has consistently been identified as the single
most significant barrier to accessing these medications and this
cost is unevenly borne by women and gender-diverse
Canadians. Pharmacare will give women and gender diverse
Canadians freedom over their reproductive health.
Diabetes is a complex disease that has no cure, but can be
treated with safe and effective medications. However, one in four
Canadians with diabetes has reported not following their treatment
plan due to cost. Improving access to diabetes medications will
help improve the health of 3.7 million Canadians living with
diabetes, and reduce the risk of serious life-changing health
complications, such as blindness or amputations.
The Government of Canada will
consult widely about the path forward and will work with provinces,
territories, Indigenous Peoples, and other partners and
stakeholders to improve the accessibility, affordability, and
appropriate use of pharmaceutical products.
Financial barriers should never be the reason people cannot
access prescription drugs and related products. We are determined
to work towards a plan where Canadians can obtain their medication
as prescribed, regardless of where they live or if they can
afford it. This is an important step forward to improve health
equity, affordability, and health outcomes for Canadians, with
potential long-term cost savings to our public health care
system.
Quotes
"Canadians should be able to get the prescription drugs they
need. Our pharmacare plan will help 9 million Canadians have
freedom over their sexual and reproductive health. Our plan will
make sure more than 3 million Canadians with diabetes get the
medication to prevent serious complications and live healthy lives.
This plan will build a stronger public health system, reduce
healthcare costs, and get Canadians better health care."
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
"Cost is one of the primary barriers for Canadians accessing
medications for diabetes and birth control. Since 2015, we have
been focused on making life more affordable for Canadians and
supporting those who need it the most. Our Pharmacare plan aims to
help millions of Canadians get the medication they need, regardless
of where they live or their ability to pay. That's what fairness
for every generation is about."
The Honourable Kamal Khera
Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities
Quick Facts
- On December 18, 2023, the
Government of Canada announced the
creation of the Canadian Drug Agency with an investment of over
$89.5 million over five years,
starting in 2024-25. The Agency will provide the dedicated
leadership and coordination needed to make Canada's drug system more sustainable and
prepared for the future and help Canadians achieve better health
outcomes.
- On March 22 2023, the Government
of Canada announced measures in
support of the first-ever National Strategy for Drugs for Rare
Diseases, with an investment of up to $1.5 billion over three years to help increase
access to, and the affordability of, effective drugs for rare
diseases.
- PEI residents have saved over $2
million in out-of-pocket costs on more than 230,000
prescriptions under PEI's $5 copay
program, which was launched in June
2023 and reduced copays for almost 60% of medications
regularly used by Island residents. These latest improvements are
an important milestone of the Improving Affordable Access to
Prescriptions Drugs (IAAPD) initiative that provides federal
funding to PEI to improve access to prescription drugs and make
prescriptions drugs more affordable for Island residents.
Associated Links
- Backgrounder: Universal Access to Contraception
- Backgrounder: Universal Access to Diabetes Medications, and
Diabetes Device Fund for Devices and Supplies
- Final Report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of
National Pharmacare
- Prescription drug insurance coverage
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)