The woman’s effort is the latest in a years-long fight for universal drug coverage
A woman from Kingston, Ontario has started a national grassroots push for the federal government to implement universal pharmacare before the next election in 2019.
Seeking to bring attention to the issue, Catherine Bell-Sood launched an electronic petition on the government of Canada website, reported the Kingston Whig-Standard. As of June 20, Petition E-959 had more than 5,400 electronic signatures.
“It’s all a matter of sensitivity, compassion and an understanding of what’s going on with your neighbours, the people in your community and the street,” Bell-Sood said.
Health-policy experts and two royal commissions have recommended universal drug coverage for Canada, with one recommendation issued back in 1964. Despite this, the government has not yet acted, making the Canadian universal public healthcare system the only one that just covers prescription medication for inpatients.
Canadians who take medications outside a hospital setting have to either rely on private drug plans — typically employer-provided — or pay out of pocket for prescription drugs. Individual provinces provide public coverage for selected population segments, such as seniors or low-income individuals.
“This doesn’t include those who buy their drugs but have to cheat about taking them because they can’t afford them,” according to Bell-Sood.
Around one in 10 Canadians can’t afford to get their prescriptions filled. Such Canadians may go without or take less than the recommended dose to stretch their supplies. The risk of going to hospital is higher among that segment, which could result in higher costs for the medicare system.
Bell-Sood said that the federal government’s original rollout of the public healthcare program in the ‘60s included a promise for universal pharmacare and basic dentistry for all. Fifty years later, neither of those promises has been kept.
“By not having drug care and the dentistry, we’re cutting the legs out from under citizens,” she said.
Bell-Sood’s group, which she said is not affiliated with any other group or association, have been passionate about the issue for years. They issued a paper petition during the time of Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“The impact that you have will be dependent upon the number of signatories you have because the members of parliament will pay attention,” she said, referring to her current electronic campaign. “The sky’s the limit.”
Related stories:
Let patients get high-priced medications at hospitals, experts say
Ontario’s pharmacare proposal could ease burden for benefit plan providers
Seeking to bring attention to the issue, Catherine Bell-Sood launched an electronic petition on the government of Canada website, reported the Kingston Whig-Standard. As of June 20, Petition E-959 had more than 5,400 electronic signatures.
“It’s all a matter of sensitivity, compassion and an understanding of what’s going on with your neighbours, the people in your community and the street,” Bell-Sood said.
Health-policy experts and two royal commissions have recommended universal drug coverage for Canada, with one recommendation issued back in 1964. Despite this, the government has not yet acted, making the Canadian universal public healthcare system the only one that just covers prescription medication for inpatients.
Canadians who take medications outside a hospital setting have to either rely on private drug plans — typically employer-provided — or pay out of pocket for prescription drugs. Individual provinces provide public coverage for selected population segments, such as seniors or low-income individuals.
“This doesn’t include those who buy their drugs but have to cheat about taking them because they can’t afford them,” according to Bell-Sood.
Around one in 10 Canadians can’t afford to get their prescriptions filled. Such Canadians may go without or take less than the recommended dose to stretch their supplies. The risk of going to hospital is higher among that segment, which could result in higher costs for the medicare system.
Bell-Sood said that the federal government’s original rollout of the public healthcare program in the ‘60s included a promise for universal pharmacare and basic dentistry for all. Fifty years later, neither of those promises has been kept.
“By not having drug care and the dentistry, we’re cutting the legs out from under citizens,” she said.
Bell-Sood’s group, which she said is not affiliated with any other group or association, have been passionate about the issue for years. They issued a paper petition during the time of Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“The impact that you have will be dependent upon the number of signatories you have because the members of parliament will pay attention,” she said, referring to her current electronic campaign. “The sky’s the limit.”
Related stories:
Let patients get high-priced medications at hospitals, experts say
Ontario’s pharmacare proposal could ease burden for benefit plan providers
