Question Period Note: Pharmacare

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KEY MESSAGES
· The Pharmacare Act lays a path forward for national universal pharmacare in Canada.
· To date, four jurisdictions — Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon — have reached a pharmacare agreement with the Government of Canada to provide universal, single-payer, first-dollar coverage for a range of contraception and diabetes medications.
· The Government of Canada is committed to protecting national pharmacare for those who need it.
· IF PRESSED…
Q1 : If pressed on Contraceptives
A1 :
• Contraceptive drugs were chosen as part of this next step of universal pharmacare specifically because improved access to contraception improves equality.
• Cost has consistently been identified as the single most important barrier to access to these medications and the cost is unevenly borne by women and gender diverse Canadians.
• The Act will ensure that Canadians will have access to a comprehensive suite of contraceptive drugs and devices.
Q2 : If pressed on Diabetes Medication
A2 :
• Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting people living in Canada, affecting about 3.8 million Canadians.
• In 2015, 25% of Canadians with diabetes reported they had difficulty following their treatment due to cost, in some cases rationing medications to save money.
• Improving the affordability of these medications will improve the health of Canadians living with diabetes and reduce the risk of serious life-changing health complications such as blindness or amputations.
Q3 : If pressed on the development of advice on a national formulary and bulk purchasing plan
A3 :
• The Act sets out next steps with Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) on the development of advice on a national formulary and a national bulk purchasing strategy.
• The CDA-AMC has the expertise to develop this advice as a starting point in considering the future of national pharmacare, in collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and other partners and stakeholders.
• The CDA-AMC is expected to develop this advice no later than October 10, 2025, as set out on the Act.
Q4 : If pressed on the national Pharmacare Committee of Experts
A4 :
• On November 14, 2024, the National Pharmacare Committee of Experts was announced.
• The Committee brings together a diverse group of individuals from different sectors, including policy experts, academics, and health care professionals.
• The Committee is tasked with providing advice and guidance on implementation of national pharmacare in Canada by October 10, 2025.
• I look forward to the Committee’s report.

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• Many Canadians have no insurance for prescription medication or are under-insured. In 2021, Statistics Canada found that one in five adults in Canada did not have the insurance they needed to cover their medication costs.

• Coverage for contraceptives will mean that 9 million Canadians of reproductive age will have better access to contraception and reproductive autonomy, reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies and improving their ability to plan for the future.

• Improving access to diabetes medications will help improve the health of 3.8 million Canadians living with diabetes and reduce the risk of serious life-changing health complications such as blindness or amputations.