This year, two provinces have made pharmacare a reality. Their hard work creates a better path for people in Canada to access the medications they need. Manitoba and Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) are enjoying their pharmacare program’s first year of success. At the same time, Yukon and British Columbia are preparing for their own rollouts. Still, uncertainty remains—especially regarding the federal government’s help. What is less clear is whether they’ll continue to offer support for provinces that haven’t signed agreements to date.
Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara delivered the exciting news—Manitoba is serious about implementation. In only the first three-and-a-half months, about 139,000 residents have already benefited from having this new opportunity to thrive. By removing small copays for patients, the program has made it much more accessible for people to get the medications they need.
The pharmacare initiative directly speaks to these important healthcare objectives in P.E.I. It covers all contraceptives without cost-sharing, diabetes medications and notes expanded access to blood glucose test strips. Erin MacKenzie, executive director of the P.E.I. Pharmacists Association, spoke to the difference removing copays has made on patients’ satisfaction.
“When you tell someone that they don’t have to pay anything, they’re happy.” – Erin MacKenzie
British Columbia and Yukon on the Horizon
British Columbia’s recent pharmacare deal is notable because it includes coverage of hormone replacement therapy for menopause. This program will finally get off the ground next March. The province’s proactive approach signals a commitment to improving women’s health and ensuring that vital treatments are accessible without financial burden.
Alongside British Columbia, Yukon is the next territory or province most likely to introduce its own pharmacare plan. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Nunavut and Northwest Territories have yet to establish agreements with the federal government. Sadly, these provinces are now running without these essential agreements. This is a big reason why millions of Canadians aren’t feeling the full possible benefits of pharmacare yet.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has already sounded alarms on Ottawa’s willingness to uphold pharmacare agreements down the line. She noted that it is an especially tumultuous political moment that could chip away at delicate ongoing negotiations.
“Canada has a new government and is in a new context,” – Marjorie Michel
Ontario’s Position in the Pharmacare Landscape
Close behind them are Manitoba and P.E.I., both having taken big steps toward making pharmacare a reality. For not having signed an agreement to date, Ontario is on the losing end. Elizabeth Thompson, advocacy lead for Cover Contraception, said that Ontario has much to gain from pharmacare.
“[Prime Minister Mark Carney] knows it’s going to be a win for his government,” – Elizabeth Thompson
Ontario’s failure to get a deal continues to raise key questions. Imagine how many more Canadians could benefit from similar programs if Ottawa follows through with more agreements. Minister Michel has committed to safeguarding the four other agreements signed so far by the federal government. So far, he’s offered little guidance on what those future initiatives might look like.
The topography for pharmacare in Canada is shifting, changing, and reversing largely by the day. Residents want reassurance that other provinces will soon receive access to other similar benefits. The ongoing negotiations between provincial leaders and federal officials will be critical in determining the future of healthcare access across the country.
