Diabetes Canada requests an overhaul of the medication insurance plan

Glenn Thibeault. Moreover, Director General of Government Affairs, Defense of Interests and Policies of Diabetes Canada, explained that the new government has the opportunity to transform drug insurance into a system similar to that of its national dental care regime, which is only offered to people not covered by another regime.

“I do not think it is a financial priority for the government. However, given the evolution of the world, but I nevertheless think that it is very important that we examine the costs associated with diabetes,” he said.

The government of Prime Minister Mark Carney was not clear about the future of drug insurance.

The Minister of Finance. Similarly, François-Philippe Champagne, wrote to his colleagues from the cabinet to ask them to achieve significant savings. However, The government also plans to increase defense spending in order to achieve Canada’s objective within NATO. diabetes canada requests overhaul medication Nevertheless, must deal with the effects of the world trade war led by US President Donald Trump.

Asked about the state of progress of negotiations on drug insurance with the provinces. Moreover, territories during a recent press conference, the Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, was not committed to continuing on the path drawn up by the previous government.

“It is a new government. Consequently, and we are in a new context, and we must discuss with the provinces to see how we can support them,” she told journalists in Fredericton.

The Trudeau government has planned a budget of $ 1.5 billion over five years for the first phase of drug insurance. Consequently, which covers the cost of certain diabetes drugs and contraceptives for patients. The plan planned to sign agreements with all the provinces and all the territories to finance the cost of drugs.

Ottawa signed four -year -old agreements diabetes canada requests overhaul medication with only three provinces and a territory before the April federal elections.

The agreement with British Columbia represents more than $ 670 million. Manitoba has signed an agreement of more than $ 219 million. Prince Edward Island signed an agreement of more than $ 30 million and the Yukon signed an agreement of $ 9.5 million. This represents $ 928.5 million, or more than 60 % of the government budget provided for the implementation of the drug insurance scheme.

“I think this is an opportunity for us to collaborate with provincial governments. the federal government to say:” Well, let’s examine our financial resources and are sure to be able to provide drugs, in particular diabetes drugs, to people who need them, “said Thibeault.

Diabetes Canada criticizes the number of treatments covered

Diabetes Canada has criticized the deployment of the drug insurance scheme. saying that it only covers a limited range diabetes canada requests overhaul medication of treatments against diabetes and that the list of reimbursed drugs includes expired products, which means that many commonly prescribed drugs are not covered.

Federal budgetary documents specify that the objective is to guarantee diabetic people an insulin coverage of up to $ 1. 700 per year, depending on the type and dose required, as well as $ 100 per year for metformin, used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Mr. Thibeault said that the government could take inspiration from the dental drug insurance regime to guarantee access to drugs. essential to a larger number of people.

The drug insurance program is designed to offer “universal coverage. single payer and the first dollar” for drugs included, in accordance with provincial and territorial agreements.

This means that the federal government pays funds to the provinces. territories to cover the cost of drugs, and patients can expect to get their medicines at low diabetes canada requests overhaul medication cost, or even for free. Quotes and prescription costs apply.

The drug insurance program covers everyone, whether or not there is private insurance.

The dental health insurance program. on the other hand, is only accessible to people who are not covered by a provincial or territorial regime and who have no private insurance.

“If you have private insurance that works for you, why would we like to make it pay by the state?” explained Mr. Thibeault.

Defenders of reproductive health have warned that the non-signature of drug insurance agreements with the nine provinces. remaining territories would create inequalities across the country.

The Canada Labor Congress said it would be equivalent to the liberal government “to break a promise made to Canadians.”

During the electoral campaign. the Liberals undertook to “protect dental care and drug insurance”, which they qualified as essential services and which are part of a solid public health diabetes canada requests overhaul medication system.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Mark Carney said. in response to questions last week, that the Liberal chief had promised during the campaign “that we would not reduce nor abolish any of the existing agreements”.