EDMONTON — As Albertans’ anxiety grows over the rising cost of living — including how new tariffs could impact their employment, health benefits, drug costs, and pocketbooks — the federal government is creating uncertainty about whether they intend to fulfill their promise to deliver much-needed relief when it comes to expanding federal dental care coverage, and bringing down drug costs via a national public drug plan.
“The federal Liberal government has repeatedly promised action on Pharmacare, but Canadians are increasingly concerned that its future is at risk. Legislation was passed last year, a program is underway, all the government needs to do now is commit to continuing to negotiate Pharmacare deals with provincial governments, including Alberta,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “It’s unacceptable that so many people in our province are skipping their medications and splitting pills just to make ends meet. The public needs the federal government to act swiftly to fulfill their promise. And we need our Alberta government to stop intentionally impeding progress.”
The historic passing of Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare last October brought us closer than we’ve ever been to achieving single-payer drug coverage in Canada, with a preliminary plan for universal coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and devices. Since then, bilateral agreements have been signed with Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon to get coverage for diabetes and contraceptive medications under way.
But since the federal election this Spring, not a single agreement has been signed with a provincial government, and Alberta continues to push for an opt-out from the program.
“During uncertain economic times are when public programs like Pharmacare are the most needed. That’s why it is crucial that our federal and provincial governments work collaboratively to ensure the Pharmacare program is implemented and expanded as quickly as possible. The millions of Canadians in need of these life-changing medications shouldn’t have to wait a day longer,” said Gallaway. “Opinion polling has repeatedly shown that Canadians and Albertans overwhelmingly support national, universal Pharmacare. Our governments need to listen to Albertans, put aside petty politics, and get this done.”
Friends of Medicare continues to encourage Albertans to call on our provincial government to act in support of Pharmacare: friendsofmedicare.org/abpharmacare
And encourages all Canadians to support the Canadian Health Coalition’s push for the federal government to keep their promise to implement and expand Pharmacare nation-wide: healthcoalition.ca/pharmacare-is-at-risk-act-now-to-protect-it/
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