There has been much discussion in the past 10 years about whether Canada needs a national Pharmacare plan. While the idea might appeal to some, the plan is driven by ideology as opposed to common sense.
Undoubtedly, it is clear that reform of provincial drug plans is necessary. However a national government plan is a step in the wrong direction and will only exacerbate the current situation where leaves millions of Canadians dont have access to the medicines they need.
medicine
July 5, 2011
6:00PM
June 10, 2010
2:00AM
February 11, 2007
6:00PM
Since 2000, at least five provincial studies, plus a Senate report have concluded that the annual growth in government health spending is not sustainable. At the same time government spending on prescription drugs - both patented and non-patented - is increasing faster than any other part of health spending. And new or patented medicines can be very expensive compared to older drugs and other health treatments. Some therefore blame patented medicines for unsustainable health care costs in Canada.
February 23, 2005
2:00AM
December 7, 2001
2:00AM
Doctors have a professional monopoly on prescribing drugs, and the professions leaders are right to worry about doctors who abuse this authority by co-signing prescriptions for patients whom they have never examined.