Feds announce first phase of national universal pharmacare plan

The Government of Canada announced its first phase of a national universal pharmacare plan on Thursday which includes universal access to contraception and diabetes medications.

Health Minister Mark Holland introduced Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare, just one day before the March 1 deadline to table the legislation.

The bill details universal, single-payer coverage for all insulin for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as a fund for supplies to monitor the condition and administer medication, such as syringes and glucose test strips.

The government is also expected to fully cover contraceptives including IUDs and emergency contraceptives, or Morning After Pills, for all ages in addition to the birth control already provided for people under 25 without private insurance.

This will reportedly provide access to contraception for nine million Canadians of reproductive age, nearly a quarter of Canada’s population.

“Each and every Canadian should have access to the prescription drugs they need. That’s why we’re working with our partners towards the first phase of national universal pharmacare,” Holland said.

“It’s an incredibly historic moment. We are delivering free birth control and diabetes medication and devices for every Canadian in this country. That’s what we rolled out today, this is something we have long fought for. New democrats have fought for this every year since our party began,” said Jagmeet Singh, “the liberals promised it for 30 years, but broke that promise every year and it is no coincidence that it is happening now when we have forced them to do so.”

READ MORE: NDP and Liberals reach deal on pharmacare as deadline looms

Dr. Amanda Black, President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada says they are pleased with the amount of options that will be covered.

But Singh said they would have liked to see more coverage for medication though today’s achievements are more than they had originally expected.

The plan is in response to the NDP’s demands, as a condition of the agreement that keeps the minority Liberal Government in power.

However, not all provinces are on board with the plans. Alberta and Quebec say they want the power to control their own programs.

In Ontario, the Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said, Ontario’s OHIP Plus program is a “pretty robust system” and they would need to see how the federal government’s proposed plan matches, conflicts and works with the province’s system in place.

READ MORE: ‘Big impasse’ remains as Liberal, NDP pharmacare deadline looms: Singh

The federal Liberals did not commit to a specific cost, but say it would start at the $1.5-billion range, which has not been accounted for in this year’s budget. A process that will take some time.

Bill C-64 lays out several next steps and deadlines to move the government forward with a bigger Pharmacare plan.

The bill is contingent on the agreement of provinces and territories.