Coverage for prescription drugs in Canada is an uncoordinated patchwork of private and public plans which is costly, confusing and leaves large portions of Canadians without the medicines they need. It puts profits of large pharmaceutical and insurance companies ahead of the needs of Canadian households and businesses.

1 out of every 5 Canadians says they do not have insurance to cover any cost of their prescription drugs

Canada is the only country with a universal healthcare system which does not also include universal access to prescription drugs. As a result, Canadians pay more and get less. Countless studies and national commissions over the past four decades have recommended a universal, public National Pharmacare program. 

In February 2024, the Federal Government introduced legislation for the first phase of a National Universal Pharmacare program to provide Canadians with universal, single payer coverage for several diabetes medications and contraception. CACHC applauds this announcement and is encouraged with the steps towards national universal pharmacare in Canada that will ensure equitable access to prescription medication for all Canadians.

• Pharmacare Plan Positive Step for Canadian Healthcare
• Government of Canada Introduces Legislation for First Phase of National Universal Pharmacare
• Pharmacare Now – Joint Letter to Government of Canada (Dec 2021)
• CACHC’s 2021 Call to Action for Federal Government and all political parties
• What happened to the promise of universal pharmacare?
• A Prescription for Canada: Achieving Pharmacare for All. Final Report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare
• Pharmacare 2020: Access to Medicines is a Human Right