The feedback will help the new advisory council to develop a report that will be presented to the Federal Government
The Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare has invited all Canadians, including patients and interested stakeholders, to share their views on what national pharmacare might look like.
Pharmacare is a system of drug coverage that aims to provide people with easy access to necessary prescription drugs.
The Council's chair Dr. Eric Hoskins on Friday announced that Canadians can provide their views on national pharmacare through an online questionnaire, as well as by providing written submissions to the Council. They can also engage in the discussion through an online forum.
"I encourage all Canadians to participate in this consultation,” said Minister of Health Ginette Petitpas Taylor. “Their views and feedback will inform the Council's recommendations in support of better access to prescription medication for Canadians."
The feedback received will help the Advisory Council, which was formally launched last month, to develop a report that will be presented to the Federal Government in spring 2019. The report will provide the Government with recommendations and a plan on how to move forward on national pharmacare.
"Hearing directly from Canadians will be critical as we work to find the best path forward to a national pharmacare plan,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Chair of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare. "I invite each and every Canadian to participate in the consultation process by sharing your vision of pharmacare and letting us know how it could work to the benefit of all Canadians."
The Advisory Council can expect to receive a lot of feedback. Prescription drug prices in Canada are among the highest in the developed world and at least one in ten Canadians is unable to afford the prescription drugs they need. Every year, almost one million Canadians give up food and heat to afford medicines.
Prescription drugs are not covered in a consistent way across the country and Canada's patchwork of drug coverage leaves many people facing significant barriers to getting the medication they need.
"We are committed to making prescription medications more accessible and more affordable, so that all Canadians are able to get the medicines they need,” said Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance. “The ideas and insights people share during this important consultation will help us deliver a national Pharmacare program that works for Canada, and for Canadians."
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