Expert panel says Canada needs new agency to oversee pharmacare program

OTTAWA — An expert panel studying the best way to implement a national pharmacare plan has released its interim report with three main recommendations.

The report is seen as a way to set the foundations for the federal government’s plan to bring in pharmacare for all Canadians.

“Must complete the dream of Medicare by finally finding its missing piece, and that missing piece is pharmacare,” said Health Minister Ginette Petitpas, noting the government will consider the recommendations made.

The report comes with three main recommendations, which are being described as the building blocks to a national pharmacare program.

Doctor Eric Hoskins, who is leading the expert panel, says the main recommendation is to create a national drug agency.

“It would negotiate with manufacturers and carryout health technology assessments of prescription drugs.”

The report also recommends developing a national list of drugs so coverage is the same across the country and to gather better data on prescription medications

Finance Minister Bill Morneau would not say if any of these items will be in his upcoming spring budget, but a pharmacare plan is expected to be a main pledge from the liberals in the fall election.

Both Morneau and the health minister deny the announcement is being used as a distraction to the SNC-Lavalin testimony in Ottawa, saying they set this date to release the report weeks ago.

 

The Canadian Institute for Health Information says drugs are the fastest-growing component in health spending but unlike hospital care and doctors’ visits, most people’s medication needs aren’t covered by public health insurance.

An analysis by the parliamentary budget officer estimated a broad coverage regime would cost $20 billion a year.

The second report from the panel is expected later this spring.

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