Government of Canada Introduces Bill C-64 for First Phase of National Universal Pharmacare

Health Canada introduced Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare (Pharmacare Act), which proposes the foundational principles for first phase of national universal pharmacare in Canada and describes the Government of Canada’s intent to work with provinces and territories (PTs) to provide universal, single-payer coverage for a number of contraception and diabetes medications. These elements would form the key next steps towards national universal pharmacare in Canada.

Bill C-64 provides that the new Canadian Drug Agency work towards:

• the development of a national formulary,
• develop a national bulk purchasing strategy, and
• support the publication of a pan-Canadian strategy regarding the appropriate use of prescription medications.

Additional Resources:

Backgrounder: Universal Access to Contraception
Backgrounder: Universal Access to Diabetes Medications, and Diabetes Device Fund for Devices and Supplies
Final Report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare