Advisory Council sets out what a Canadian Pharmacare plan should provide

The Canadian Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare has issued a final report on proposed Pharmacare, saying that Canada should have a national program that is universal, single payer and public.

The Council, which was tasked last June to look into the issue, says this kind of program will result in better drug coverage for Canadians and save individuals and governments money. It also said that Canada’s national Pharmacare should include a national drug agency and formulary. It is chaired by former Ontario Liberal Health Minister Dr Eric Hoskins.

A universal, single-payer public Pharmacare will result in better value for money and substantial savings for governments, businesses, and individual Canadians. Once implemented, Pharmacare's stronger negotiating power, lower administrative costs, as well as other improvements will save taxpayers an estimated C$5 billion ($3.76 billion) annually.