Bill C-64 was announced by the Liberal and NDP Government on February 29, 2024.
To read the entire C-64 click on the link below:
Bill C-64 An Act Respecting Pharmacare
To See the progress of Bill C-64
The Current status is it has had a second reading in the Senate.
Here is a brief critical summary of the Second reading:
Critical Summary of Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare
Overview:
Hon. Kim Pate introduced Bill C-64 for its second reading in the Senate, representing a pivotal step towards establishing a national pharmacare system in Canada. This bill outlines foundational principles to initiate universal single-payer coverage for essential medicines, beginning with contraceptive and diabetes medications. The aim is to address inequities in drug access and align Canada with other wealthy nations that offer universal drug coverage.
Key Points:
Historical Context and Need:
Historical Shift in Drug Use: Prescription drugs have become a central part of healthcare, with costs rising significantly since the 1970s.
Current Challenges: High medication costs force many Canadians to choose between essential needs and their prescriptions, with 20% lacking adequate coverage.
Goals and Principles:
Universal Coverage: The bill seeks to provide universal access to essential medications, starting with contraceptives and diabetes drugs.
Economic Relief: The initiative aims to relieve financial burdens on households and employers while promoting safe and appropriate medication use.
Incremental Implementation:
Stepwise Approach: Following the 2019 Hoskins Report, the bill proposes a phased implementation of pharmacare, starting with a limited list of essential medicines.
National Formulary Development: The Canadian Drug Agency is tasked with developing a national formulary to guide future coverage.
Financial and Social Benefits:
Economic Savings: Publicly funded universal access to contraception and diabetes medication is expected to save costs and improve health outcomes.
Social Impact: Access to effective contraception supports bodily autonomy and reproductive health, while adequate diabetes treatment prevents severe health complications.
Collaboration and Administration:
Provinces and Territories: The bill emphasizes cooperation with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to ensure equitable access across Canada.
Funding: The Government of Canada has allocated $1.5 billion over five years to support this initiative, alongside a separate fund for diabetes devices and supplies.
Broader Health Strategy:
Rare Diseases: The bill builds on previous initiatives to make drugs for rare diseases more accessible, reinforcing the commitment to comprehensive healthcare.
Challenges and Vigilance:
Potential Privatization Pressures: The bill warns against the risk of adopting a fragmented, multi-payer system that could undermine universal access and cost savings.
Sustained Effort Required: Continuous work and principled collaboration are necessary to fully realize the benefits of national pharmacare.
Conclusion:
Bill C-64 is positioned as a transformative piece of legislation aimed at ensuring equitable access to essential medications for all Canadians. By starting with contraception and diabetes medications, it sets the stage for a more extensive universal pharmacare system, emphasizing collaboration, cost-effectiveness, and public health benefits. The bill reflects a commitment to the foundational principles of Canadian healthcare and seeks to address longstanding inequities in drug coverage.
References:
Hoskins, E. (2019). A Prescription for Canada: Achieving Pharmacare for All.
Statistics Canada. (2021). Prescription drug coverage in Canada.
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). (2023). National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases.
Government of Canada. (2024). Budget 2024.
CURRENT STATUS: Adjournment for Debate: The debate is paused and scheduled to continue at the next sitting of the Senate. Debate will take place at the next sitting of the Senate which is June 11, 2024. This debate will allow more senators to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the Bill C-64.
