Question

There has been a major debate in Canada about whether we need a national pharmacare program.

what is the evidence supporting or opposing establishing such a program? and, if Canada decided to implement it, what challenge would it face in doing so?

Answer 1

Since 1960 , there has been a call for national pharmacare program. Experts says that the Canada's development would be incomplete without National Pharma Care programme. Every other high income countries, like Canada have this programme already. Canada health insurance ends when the doctor prescribes the medicine. Moreover , access to medicine is a universal human right as recommended by UN. There are several commission reports , studies, researches proves that National Pharma Care programme is a need of the hour.

First report in this area is published by Royal Commission on health services. Apart from providing adequate health services, it recommended drug as a essential health service. The report was in 1963. It was the first step towards National Pharma Care programme.

In 2010, CCPA(Canadian centre for policy alternatives), showcased the inefficiency of current drug insurance program . It also revealed that the drug cost of the country is more than anyother OECD countries. Per capita cost is increasing day by day. It says that Canada spent 25.1 billion in 2018 as drug cost. It is mainly because of the exploitive nature pharmaceutical industry in this sector. It recommended that National Pharma care programme will considerably reduce the drug cost and that cost can be utilised in other sectors. CMAJ report in 2015 also supported this argument and it also suggested this programme as the only alternative to reduce the costs.

In 2019, five consensus principles were adopted by public interests, health professionals and labour unions for this programme. They are universality, accessibility, comprehensive, public -single payer administration and portable coverage.

In 2019, final report has been submitted by Advisory Council on National Pharma Care. It conducted an extensive survey on cost , drug insurance and pointed out the drawbacks and the way to implement Pharma care programme. It covered the discussion on medicines on all types of diseases and it's accessibility. It also pointed out that drugs should be made available based on the need rather than on ability to pay for the medicine. National Pharma Care is best step in this regard .

All these researches indicates that a universal , compatible and equitable Pharma Care programme is an important towards nation's development.

One of the major challenges that has to be faced by the government is provincial and federal negotiations. Pharma programme is in the hands of provincial government according to the constitution. Another big challenge is the interest of stakeholders will also get affected. It will be great set back to private insurance companies and drug companies. Since pharmaceutical companies are a major employer in Canada the pressure of the government will be very high.