Health Charities celebrate Government of Canada passing legislation for a First Phase of National Pharmacare
On October 10th the Pharmacare Act received Royal Assent. This is great news for the millions of people in Canada who will now have access to a range of contraception and diabetes medications as the first phase of the national pharmacare program is rolled out in partnership with the provinces and territories.
“Access to medicines is key to supporting the health of Canadians. The establishment of a national pharmacare plan will provide some relief for the 1 in 4 Canadians who report having to make difficult decisions in order to afford essential prescription drugs”, says Elizabeth Myles, Chair of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada and National Executive Director of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
The Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC), which represents 24 national health charities, welcomes the new legislation that will initially provide universal access for Canadians to diabetes medications and contraceptives and provide the foundation for developing a national formulary and a national bulk purchasing strategy which will provide greater access and affordability of medications to Canadians.
“It is exciting to see that Canada finally has a universal health care system that includes a pharmacare program” says Connie Côté, CEO of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada. The Health Charities Coalition of Canada believes that all people living in Canada should have equitable and timely access to necessary prescription medications based on the best health outcomes rather than the ability to pay. “Our members look forward to working with governments as they continue to advance the pharmacare program to meet the needs of patients in Canada”.
About Health Charities Coalition of Canada
Founded in 2000, the Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC) is a member-based organization comprised of national health charities and patient groups who represent the voice of patients at all levels of the health continuum. Our mandate is leading national collective action on health policy and health research to benefit patients living in Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Heather Idt
ea@healthcharities.ca