About Pharmacare
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Overview
The Government of Canada is committed to making sure that you can get the medications you need, no matter where you live or your ability to pay. We're working with our partners to build a national universal pharmacare system that improves:
- accessibility
- affordability
- appropriate use
- universal coverage
The Pharmacare Act outlines our commitment to work with provincial and territorial partners towards national pharmacare. It sets out the next steps we'll take, starting with making a range of contraceptives and diabetes medications free. We'll also:
- provide long-term funding to provinces and territories to make medication more affordable and easier to access
- establish an expert committee to advise us on how to operate and finance the pharmacare system
- ask Canada's Drug Agency to develop advice on:
- a national bulk purchasing strategy
- a list of essential prescription drugs and related products
- publish a pan-Canadian strategy to promote appropriate use of prescription drugs and related products
Diabetes
About 3.8 million people in Canada have been diagnosed with diabetes. In 2018, costs to the healthcare system related to diabetes were estimated at $27 billion, and they could surpass $39 billion by 2028.
Pharmacare agreements with provinces and territories will ensure that if you have diabetes, you'll have free access to medications like:
- Metformin, which can cost about $100 per year
- Insulin, which can cost between $900 and $1,700 per year
- Sulfonylureas and SGLT-2 inhibitors, which can cost from $100 to over $1,000 per year
Coverage for diabetes medications and supplies currently varies widely across Canada. All provinces and territories cover many of the commonly-prescribed drugs, but the cost to patients can vary greatly.
We'll also set up a fund for provinces and territories to help you access the supplies you need to:
- administer your medication, such as insulin pumps and syringes
- manage and monitor your condition, such as glucose monitors and test strips
We'll make more information about this new coverage available after signing agreements with provinces and territories.
Contraception
Pharmacare agreements with provinces and territories will give over 9 million people in Canada reproductive autonomy and better access to contraception (birth control). They'll ensure that you have free access to a variety of contraceptive drugs and devices, such as:
- oral contraceptives
- copper and hormonal IUDs
- rings
- implants
- injections
This variety means that you'll be able to choose the contraception that suits your medical needs and personal circumstances.
We'll make more information about this new coverage available after signing agreements with provinces and territories.
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