Need is great for Pharmacare Plan

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/02/2018 (2811 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In January, I hosted my first coffee and conversation event of the New Year at Joe Black Coffee Bar. Like every community event I host or attend, Pharmacare was one of the top issues discussed.

Since I was elected as Member of Parliament, I have advocated for a National Pharmacare Plan. As an emergency room physician in our community for the past 20 years, I know how essential medications are in improving the quality of life for our loved ones. It’s unacceptable that there are those who cannot afford the medications they need.

One of our government’s first actions was to join provinces and territories as a member of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, which negotiates lower drug prices on behalf of public drug plans. Since joining, we’ve been able to use this bulk buying power to negotiate 60 agreements that are already saving Canadians money.

But more needs to be done. Right now, drug prices in Canada are among the highest in the world and many Canadians are still unable to obtain necessary medications because of their cost — predominantly affecting seniors and those living in poverty. This includes Canadians who lack drug insurance coverage and Canadians who have coverage, but lack the financial means to pay for their prescriptions.

Last August, I held a consultation on a national seniors’ strategy at the St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre. There was an overwhelming consensus that seniors in our community support a National Pharmacare Plan. With an estimated 36,825 residents aged 65 and over in our community and an aging population across our nation, the need for fair and equal access to life-saving pharmaceuticals is becoming more urgent.

In 2016, my colleagues and I on the standing committee on health began a study on the development of a National Pharmacare Program. This fall, the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released its report which estimates roughly $28.5 billion was spent on prescription drugs in 2015. Of this, just under $13.1 billion was paid for by public insurance plans, $10.7 billion was paid for by private insurance plans and $4.7 billion was paid out of pocket by individuals.

Of the $28.5 billion in estimated pharmaceutical expenses in 2015 and 2016, $24.6 billion would be eligible for a National Pharmacare Plan. Based on these figures, its estimated total drug spending under a National Pharmacare Program would be $20.4 billion, resulting in $4.2 billion in annual savings for Canadians.

The health committee will soon finalize its two year study on Pharmacare and submit its recommendations to the Government of Canada. It’s evident a National Pharmacare Plan would both save billions annually and save lives. As a result, I’m calling upon the government to fully implement a National Pharmacare Plan that is universal, comprehensive, evidence-based, and sustainable.

If you have any questions or require assistance with any federal matter, please contact my office at 204-984-6432 or doug.eyolfson@parl.gc.ca