Evidence Network

NAFTA re-negotiations may threaten Canada’s steps toward universal pharmacare

A version of this commentary appeared in the Toronto Star, Ottawa Life and the Huffington Post A “modernized NAFTA” has significant implications for many sectors of the economy — and health care is one of them.  What’s at stake?  Canadians’ right to universal access to affordable medicines. When negotiating with the U.S. and Mexico, Canadian […]

Free medicines for rich kids is actually a fair and efficient policy

A version of this commentary appeared in the Ottawa Citizen, Windsor Star and the Huffington Post Ontario has been the site of dueling pharmacare proposals and Canadians are the victors.  At the end of April, the opposition NDP promised universal drug coverage for a list of essential medicines.  Not to be outdone, the ruling Liberal party […]

What Canada can learn from Australia on health care

A version of this commentary appeared in the Globe & Mail, the Huffington Post and the Victoria Times Colonist. Australia and Canada share many characteristics, but Canadians may not know one of them is that Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, Medicare, was modelled on Canada’s — albeit adapted to account for constitutional differences between the two countries. […]

Pharmacare for kids

From Ontario’s lips to the feds’ ears A version of this commentary appeared in the Hill Times and the Huffington Post. The Ontario government’s decision to invest in universal drug coverage for those under 25 is a long-needed policy commitment that will help ensure the health of our next generation. As a pediatric oncologist, I see children […]

What does Trump’s agenda mean for Canadian health care?

Trade policy with the United States puts Canadian medicare in the crosshairs A version of this commentary appeared in the Globe and Mail and the Canadian Health Network and Ottawa Life Magazine. America is facing a growing threat to the health of its citizens. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the American […]

Four reasons Canada needs universal pharmacare and what Canadians can do to make it happen now

A version of this commentary appeared in the Toronto Star Ontario has just announced that they will offer a publicly funded pharmacare system for children and youth in Ontario. This is a small step in the right direction, one that is arguably most important for its symbolism in a national debate. Why just a small […]

There’s nothing like an American health care debate to make Canadians feel lucky

A version of this commentary appeared in the Montreal Gazette, the Hill Times and Victoria Times Colonist  There’s nothing like an American health care debate to make Canadians feel lucky. As his first act in office, Donald Trump signed an executive order, taking the first step to repeal the Affordable Care Act. With the stroke […]

Albertans must get inventive in healthcare as price of oil slides further

As world oil prices and the Canadian dollar slide perilously, Albertans must become more inventive and rigorous in managing our costs — and our expectations — especially in high-cost areas like infrastructure, education and health care.

Pharmacare is for kids too

You are the parent of a sick child. You have a limited budget and you must decide to buy the medicine the doctor prescribed for your child or provide food and shelter for your family instead. What do you do?

Quebec’s outdated drug coverage policies should not be a model for the rest of Canada

In spite of very high expenditures for drug coverage, one in 10 Canadians cannot afford to fill their prescriptions. The current patchwork of public and private plans across the country means that Canadians are covered for their prescription drugs based on where they live or work, rather than on their medical needs.

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