Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15036
Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.
Publication type: media release
Lack of Federal Leadership in Pharmaceuticals Means
The Canadian Health Coalition 2009 Jan 30
http://www.healthcoalition.ca/MR-2009-03.html
Full text:
The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) welcomes the Health Council of Canada’s new report released today entitled “The National Pharmaceutical Strategy: A Prescription Unfilled”. The Health Council’s commentary sheds light on the lack of federal leadership as the principal reason for the failure to fully implement the National Pharmaceutical Strategy.
Canada’s First Ministers all signed a written commitment to secure fair and reasonable access to safe, affordable prescription drugs in the 2004 Health Accord. Five years later more Canadians are suffering needlessly because of lack of access to safe, affordable and appropriate prescription drugs.
“Now is the time for leadership from the Harper government so Canadians have access to essential medicines they need and can afford. Too many Canadians are falling through the cracks. We end up paying more and getting less value for our money,” said Kathleen Connors, CHC Chairperson.
“In this serious economic downturn, Canadians are losing their drug plans as they lose their jobs. They face greater economic insecurity and rising drug bills. A public Pharmacare plan will not only provide medically-necessary drugs to all Canadians, regardless of where they live or work, it will also create more efficient spending in the health care system,” added Connors.
The CHC renewed its call today for a universal public Pharmacare plan to:
• Replace our patchwork U.S.- style drug insurance plans that drives up spending and leave millions without access; • Provide universal, first-dollar coverage for cost-effective and safe drugs; • Pay only for what’s safe and works; and • Negotiate lower drug prices through bulk purchasing.The text of the CHC proposal More for Less is here: www.healthcoalition.ca/moreforless.pdf
The text of the CHC hearings on Life Before Pharmacare is here: www.policyalternatives.ca
