The Issue:
Although Canada has a relatively good Universal Healthcare program, this program is being eroded directly as a consequence of the high price of drugs and medicines used to treat patients.
The Canadian Federal government has made a promise to put in place a National Pharmacare program that aligns with the goals of our current Universal Healthcare program.
A National Pharmacare program would improve access to ALL pharmaceuticals for ALL Canadians. The current ‘patchwork system’ of private insurers and public payers is a serious impediment to patients who need to access life saving drugs that are usually and unfairly high priced. Additionally, why should Canadians have to rely on the kindness of their employers to help them pay for their drugs? This current ‘patchwork system’ promotes the development of a privatized, for profit healthcare system, which we, as Canadians, must completely reject.
The Patented Medicines Pricing Review Board (PMPRB) is a quasi-judical board under Health Canada, that serves to ensure that Canadians pay a fair price for their pharmaceuticals. Recent research indicates that Canadians pay at least 25% more for their pharmaceuticals when compared to other countries with the same socioeconomic characteristics. The PMPRB has mandated changes that will correct this issue. However, it is being fiercely opposed by the Pharmaceutical Industry who have issued serious threats to reduce clinical trials, research, and reduce access to innovative medicines. This doesn’t sound very patient centric at all!
In 1987 The PMPRB granted an extension of patents, giving longer market exclusivity, to the Pharmaceutical companies with the agreement that the Pharmaceutical companies would invest 10% of profits into research in Canada. A recent study shows that has not happened. In fact, in the last 30 years of the agreement, the pharmaceutical companies have failed to reach their target of investing 10% into research in Canada for at least 20 years of the agreement. In 2017 the industry only spent 4.6% of revenues in research in Canada. However, drug prices continue to soar out of reach for many Canadians.
Before Health Canada can implement a National Pharmacare program, they must be allowed to negotiate fair drug prices for ALL Canadians.
Please visit our petition and lend your voice of support to let our Canadian government know that you support them to negotiate fair drug prices for Canadians .
It is time for Canadians to have a National Pharmacare program.
