National Pharmacare
Starting next year, Ontario will cover the cost of prescription drugs for youth who are 24 and younger. Public prescription coverage differs in different provinces, as a national pharmacare plan has not been implemented in Canada. As the price of prescription drugs increases, some have suggested universal drug coverage as a solution.
Supporters have stated that it would save billions if the federal government covered a select group of commonly prescribed medications. A study conducted by the Canadian Medical Association Journal determined that the government would have to spend $1.2 billion on covering 117 prescription medications, including those that treat HIV, heart conditions, and migraines. These would amount to 44% of total prescriptions. This would save consumers $4.3 billion, because if the government purchased drugs in bulk, it would be cheaper. These savings justify the costs, and national pharmacare would ensure that everyone who needs essential medication would be able to get them.
Currently, prescription coverage is dependent on the province. Those with low income and those within defined age brackets are usually covered. Those who do not fit the eligibility criteria must to pay for prescriptions themselves or rely on a drug insurance plan. As a result, some do not get prescriptions because they can not afford it. A national pharmacare plan for essential medicine in public health will relieve the burden of affording prescriptions for many Canadians.
However, some disagree. The research and development that goes into making new drugs has a high cost. The extra money spent by consumers on drugs can go into creating new drugs in future. If the government pursues national pharmacare and buys prescriptions in bulk, thus paying less, there will be less money to invest in research and development. In turn, the incentive for creating new drugs will decrease, which could negatively affect healthcare in the long run. New medicine could decrease healthcare spending by replacing costly treatments.
Although there are differing opinions about national pharmacare, there are advantages and disadvantages to implementing it. On one hand, it would be more affordable for consumers. Those who require prescriptions will be able to get medicine regardless of their income. However, smaller incentives for drug research may be detrimental for our future. A balance needs to be struck if national pharmacare is to be pursued.
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About the Author
I am a Grade 12 student from Toronto, Ontario. As a healthcare journalist for Clinalleve, I want to increase awareness to pharmacy news.
