Pharmacare
Pharmacare is a Canadian proposal for a publicly funded insurance program for medications,[1] similar to Medicare for health insurance. Limited pharmacare programs exist in the provinces of Ontario,[2] Manitoba,[3] and British Columbia.[4] Multiple organizers and commenters have advocated a pan-Canadian pharmacare program to complement the existing health system, but the precise model for implementation is unclear.[5][6][7]
In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to implement pharmacare if re-elected.[8][9] In February 2024, the NDP and Liberals reached an agreement on proposed draft legislation for a pharmacare program.[10] The proposed program would create a single-payer system to cover expenses for contraceptives and diabetes medication in the first phase, with a designated budget of $1.5 billion. Subsequent phases would develop a national formulary and national purchasing plan, at an estimated cost of $38.9 billion for the 2027/28 fiscal year.[11] The government tabled Bill C-64 titled An Act respecting pharmacare in 2024, which passed on October 10, 2024[12] The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) was revamped into Canada's Drug Agency, tasked with creating a formulary and a national purchasing plan.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Pharmacare. Canadian Pharmacists Association. Retrieved 8 November 2020. Archived 10 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Steve Paikin (5 January 2018). Is 'OHIP+' really the best option for free prescription drug coverage in Ontario?. TVO.
- ^ General Pharmacare Questions. Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living. Retrieved 8 November 2020. Archived 10 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ PharmaCare for BC Residents. British Columbia Health. Retrieved 8 November 2020. Archived 10 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Canada needs universal pharmacare (19 October 2019). The Lancet 394(10207), 1388.
- ^ National Pharmacare Program. Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists. Retrieved 8 November 2020. Archived 10 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kyle Duggan (9 March 2018). A rough guide to Canada's looming pharmacare debate. iPolitics. Archived 10 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Throne Speech's promise of pharmacare rings hollow (4 October 2020). NOW Magazine. Archived 10 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hannah Thibedeau (19 October 2019). Liberals aren't setting aside enough cash yet for pharmacare, says advisory panel chair. CBC. Archived 10 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Aaron Wherry (23 February 2024). Liberals and New Democrats reach a deal on pharmacare. CBC News.
- ^ Justin Fiacconi (26 April 2024). Ottawa says pharmacare is coming — here's what you need to know. CBC News.
- ^ An Act respecting pharmacare. LEGISinfo.
- ^ CADTH is now Canada's Drug Agency (1 May 2024). Canada's Drug Agency.