Drug Coverage for All in a Transformed Health Care

System

Presentation to Pharmacare 2020 Conference

By Dr. Anna Reid

President, Canadian Medical Association

February 27, 2013

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A Serious Piece of Unfinished Business

Almost 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs.

An uneven patchwork of plans, public and private, covers the country.

18 % of households do not have supplementary prescription drug insurance.

No progress has been made since  the National Pharmaceuticals Strategy (2006).

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CMA Activity on Drug Coverage Issues

Framework for a National Pharmaceutical Strategy (joint statement with four other associations) 2006

Position on Funding the Continuum of Care, 2009

Health Care Transformation Framework, 2010, which identifies pharmaceuticals as a major coverage gap in Canada’s care continuum.

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CMA’s Vision

The goal of a Canadian pharmaceutical strategy should be to ensure that every Canadian has timely access to safe and effective prescription drugs, and that no Canadian is deprived of needed prescription drugs because of inability to pay.

Framework for a National Pharmaceutical Strategy, 2006

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How Can We Achieve Full Coverage?

Identify those who are uninsured or under-insured, and ways to fill in the gaps.

Build on what we have – no need to start again from scratch.

Be flexible, and look at all solutions. Encourage all partners to work together in

expanding coverage. Ensure equity of coverage across all provinces and

territories. Federal vision and leadership would be ideal.

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Coverage Is One of Many Pharmaceutical Issues That Should Be Addressed

Pharmacare should be part of a comprehensive Canadian strategy which also includes activities to:Ensure that Canada’s prescription drugs are safe and effective.Ensure an adequate supply of prescription drugs to prevent shortages.Encourage optimal prescribing by health professionals.

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Thank you!