Ottawa unveils national pharmacare plan that covers diabetes, contraception to start – CBC
Federal government says it plans to implement universal, single-payer coverage for other medications in future
Feb 29, 2024
Health Minister Mark Holland released the long-awaited details of the federal government’s pharmacare plan on Thursday, with a commitment to cover some diabetes treatments and contraception.
If the bill, C-64, passes Parliament, Holland will begin negotiating with the provinces and territories on a funding commitment that would cover the cost of providing these medications to people for free.
He said he hopes people can access the program sometime this year, although a lot of uncertainties make an actual start date hard to pinpoint.
The federal government says it also will establish a fund to support Canadian diabetics who need access to syringes and glucose test strips to manage their condition but struggle to afford them.
The government says one in four Canadians with diabetes — about 3.7 million people have the condition — have reported they’re not following their treatment plans due to the cost.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ottawa-unveils-pharmacare-program-1.7129439
