March 20, 2019 – The Canadian Association of Community Health Centres (CACHC) is encouraged by next steps taken by the federal government within this year’s federal budget to improve prescription drug coverage for Canadians.

The 2019 federal budget announced: $35 million over four years starting in 2019-2020 for the establishment of a Canadian Drug Agency Transition Office; plans for development of a national formulary of evidence-based prescription drugs; and, $500 million over two years starting in 2022-2023 to help improve accessibility to high-cost drugs for rare diseases.

“We know that the current patchwork of drug coverage in Canada is too expensive and leaves too many people behind,” said CACHC Chair, Nicole Chammartin. “We are cautiously optimistic that announcements in this year’s budget are building blocks being put in place as part of a universal, public National Pharmacare program for Canadians.”

Decades of evidence in Canada points to the need for a universal, public Pharmacare program, and shows that this program would save Canadian households and businesses at least $4 billion per year. Canadians have consistently expressed strong support. The latest public opinion poll, conducted by Environics this January, found that 88% of Canadians agree it is better to have a single Pharmacare program for everyone, rather than to build onto the failed patchwork of public and private plans.

“Only a universal, public Pharmacare program will provide Canadian households and businesses the results we all want to see,” said Chammartin. “We are watching closely for a full commitment from the current government and we want to see similar support for a single national Pharmacare program from all political parties.”

As attention begins to shift toward this Fall’s federal election, CACHC has tabled its recommendations to all federal political parties, including a call for all parties to commit to implementing a universal, public National Pharmacare program.

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For more information or inquiries:
Scott Wolfe
Executive Director, Canadian Association of Community Health Centres
swolfe@cachc.ca | 416.922.5694 | @ScottAWolfe