Pharmacare Act includes universal access to contraception and diabetes medications.

October 10, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada 

Everyone in Canada deserves access to the medications they need, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. Canadians should not have to choose between purchasing the medications that keep them healthy and putting food on the table.

Today, the Pharmacare Act received Royal Assent and immediately came into force. The Minister of Health will continue working with provinces and territories to reach bilateral agreements to provide universal, single-payer, first-dollar access to a range of contraception and diabetes medications as the first phase of a national universal pharmacare program. These agreements will support reproductive freedom by providing up to nine million women and gender diverse people in Canada free access to contraception. Additionally, the 3.7 million people in Canada living with diabetes will have universal access to a suite of medications that reduce the risk of serious health complications and improve quality of life.

The Act also requires that Canada’s Drug Agency develop a list of essential drugs and related products to inform the development of a national formulary, a national bulk purchasing strategy to help further reduce drug prices, and a pan-Canadian strategy on the appropriate use of prescription medications. The Government of Canada will consult with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and other partners and stakeholders about the path forward to improve the accessibility, affordability, and appropriate use of pharmaceutical products. The Act also requires that a committee of experts be established within thirty days to make recommendations on the operation and financing of national, universal, single-payer pharmacare in Canada. 

Passing the Pharmacare Act is a crucial step forward to improve health equity, affordability, and outcomes, and will result in long-term savings to the health care system. The government is determined to work towards a plan where Canadians can obtain their medication as prescribed, regardless of where they live or if they can afford it.