By Nav Persaud affordable medicines, diabetes, essential medicines, expensive treatments, high blood pressure, inexpensive treatments, medicines, Pharmacare, pharmaceuticals, Prescription drug coverage
Medication access may help to decide an election for the first time in Canada — it is one of several prominent issues garnering public attention as Ontarians head to the polls June 7th. The Ontario NDP have pledged to publicly fund a short list of prioritymedicinesfor all Ontarians. The PC party has said little about […]
By Nav Persaud affordable drugs, benefits, Canada Health Act, Canada health system, drugs, essential medications, health care benefits, House of Commons, medication plans, medications, Members of Parliament, MPs, Pharmacare, pharmaceuticals, publicly funded medication
The MPs mulling options for publicly funding medications this week will likely take their sweet time. There is no rush for them because they already have the type of publicly funded access to medications that is being contemplated for other Canadians. While approximately three million Canadians do not take medications as directed because of the […]
By Robert Brown benefits, Canadians, employee drug benefits, health coverage, insurance, national pharmacare, national pharmacare program, Pharmacare, pharmacare benefits, prescription drugs
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) recently published a report outlining the expected costs and benefits of a possible National Pharmacare Program – and it’s pretty good news for most Canadians. The pharmacare program that was assessed was one proposed by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in 2016. This committee provided the program’s […]
By Nav Persaud Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare, cost of drugs, cost of pharmaceuticals, essential medicines, health care, Health policy, Pharmacare, pharmacare program, Podcasts, policy
Nav Persaud says a national drug plan would save lives, save money, and encourage better prescribing habits. So what are we waiting for? Nav Persaud is an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca, a physician and associate scientist at St Michael’s Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Toronto. Interview by Neeta das McMurtry for EvidenceNetwork.ca SaveSave
By Allan Maslove Affordable health care, Canadian government, Health Accord, Health care reform, insufficient spending, Pharmacare, provinces, sustainable health care reform
Why more money for health care is not the answer A version of this commentary appeared in the Hill Times, the Huffington Post and Policy Options In the Speech from the Throne and since, the new Liberal government has clearly said it is ready to re-engage with the provinces and territories on health care. This is a […]
By access to care, access to health care, Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, Healthcare Costs and Spending, healthcare system, national pharmacare, Pharmacare, pharmacare benefits, Podcasts
Canada is currently the only developed country with a universal health-care system that does not include universal coverage of prescription drugs. And paradoxically is the most expensive one.
By Steve Morgan cost of drugs, drug plan, employee drug benefits, national pharmacare, Pharmacare, pharmacare benefits, Pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical policies in Canada, prescription drugs, Private health benefits, universal drug benefits
A growing number of health professionals, patients, community groups and even politicians are calling for national pharmacare. But many Canadians likely wonder what pharmacare is and whether Canada is ready for it.
By Alan Cassels and Sean O'Brady cost of drugs, drug plan, employee drug benefits, Pharmacare, Pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical policies in Canada, prescription drugs, private drug plans, Private health benefits, public drug plan
There is certainly a lot of waste in health systems, but one area that seems to have escaped close scrutiny is the waste in private drug plans in Canada. To put it simply, that waste is gut-churning.
By Danielle Martin and Steve Morgan Canada, Canadian health care, Health system, Pharmacare, Pharmaceutical policy, Prescription drug coverage, Prescription Drug Crisis, prescription drugs, universal pharmacare
Health Ministers from across Canada will gather in Banff to discuss issues of common interest and explore opportunities to work together. Pharmacare — a program that would see all prescription drug costs covered through a publicly funded system instead of out-of-pocket — will almost certainly be on the agenda.
By Marc-André Gagnon cost of drugs, drug plan, national drug plan, Pharmacare, Pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical policies in Canada, prescription drugs, Private health benefits, universal pharmacare
Canadians pay among the highest costs per capita among OECD countries for prescription drugs, with one Canadian out of 10 unable to fill their prescriptions because of financial reasons.