Nova Scotia will soon re-enter negotiations with the federal government to finalize an agreement on universal pharmacare. The decision comes as the province aims to enhance its existing pharmacare program, which currently aids individuals lacking third-party pharmaceutical coverage. The Health Department remains committed to ensuring that any deal reached represents a responsible financial agreement. Their promised commitment goes further than just keeping programs and enforcing long-term funding.
Stacy Burgess, the executive director of clinical care and delivery, emphasized the province’s dedication to obtaining “the best deal” for its pharmacare program. This superlative commitment is demonstrative of a larger trend to improve access and quality of healthcare for Nova Scotians, while being fiscally prudent.
Current Pharmacare Landscape
As Dr. Leisha Hawker puts it, Nova Scotia’s current pharmacare program is a “patchwork program.” This approach creates substantial access barriers for millions of patients. High co-pays and deductibles frequently present an incredible barrier for those who are eligible for provincial coverage. These costs can be an incredible burden, stretching their limited financial resources to a breaking point.
Millions of patients go through interruptions in their coverage each year because of complications related to renewal forms. Such inconsistencies can lead to real gaps in access to vital medications. Dr. Hawker noted that her patients encounter costs that are “outrageously high,” underscoring the need for reform, which is urgent and necessary.
The province is understandably looking to negotiate a better deal. This longing is further stoked by the successful deals struck by other areas, like British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon. These provinces have made it official and signed on for the first phase of national pharmacare. This stage provides for the treatment of diabetes medications and certain prescription contraceptives.
Focus on Comprehensive Coverage
That’s why Kari Ellen Graham, a pharmacist in Nova Scotia, is on fire for the federal government to sign a pharmacare deal—it’s a “no-brainer,” she says. She’s optimistic that this agreement will have a huge positive impact on residents. It is critically necessary to advance health equity across the province.
In fact, Graham was hoping that Nova Scotia would negotiate for a more complete form of contraceptive coverage than what other provinces were getting. She added, “We’ll be advocating for all contraceptives to make it on the list.” In her written testimony, she highlighted the need for this specific detail in negotiations.
Susan Corkum-Greek, a prominent advocate for women’s health issues in the province, echoed Graham’s sentiments. She said that’s why she has been a big proponent for greater coverage. It underscores,” she said, “that the devil really is in the details. This is a good reminder of just how important meticulous negotiation can be. It helps make sure that any final agreement really delivers for Nova Scotians.
Challenges and Previous Negotiations
For their part, the Progressive Conservative government of Nova Scotia is optimistic. They’re in a pincer move from carving out funds for everything else promised – such as re-opening talks with Ottawa, to renegotiate settlements on child-care funding. This legacy of bad faith bargaining likely affects the degree to which the Health Department has been skittish about this new pharmacare program.
Burgess and her team are keeping their eyes on the prize—what a new pharmacare agreement could accomplish. They intend to pursue all types of new revenue sources not included in past agreements. This new approach will help to make sure that Nova Scotia’s specific needs are better addressed.
As discussions progress, stakeholders will closely monitor how negotiations unfold and what specific terms will be included in any potential pharmacare deal. If such an agreement is concluded it would be modelled on similar provincial agreements, probably five years in length.
