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March 6th, 2019

Statement from NDP Health Critic on the Interim Pharmacare Report

Don Davies, NDP Health Critic, made the following statement in response to the release of the interim report from the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare:

“It’s disappointing to see that the Liberals have missed an important opportunity to commit to real change in national drug coverage. Today’s report leaves the door open to a private, U.S.-style patchwork system of coverage, and it fails to recommend the system that delivers the best results for patients: a public, single-payer delivery model.
One thing that today’s report does make clear is the degree to which the current system is failing Canadians. Too many families are facing impossible choices when it comes to the prescription drugs they need – choosing between rent and an epi-pen their child needs, between saving for retirement or getting medication to manage a chronic illness.
We know that a universal, public pharmacare program will keep people healthy, save Canadians, employers and the public system money, and build on the best traditions of Medicare – where no one is left behind.
Let’s be clear: a patchwork, fill-the-gaps approach favoured by Finance Minister Morneau may help Liberal friends like big pharmaceutical and insurance corporations, but it won’t deliver efficient prescription drug coverage for every Canadian.
New Democrats will keep fighting for a universal, comprehensive, public pharmacare program that delivers the help Canadians across the country urgently need.”