Health Charities encouraged to see the tabling of Bill C-64

Press Release

Health Charities encouraged to see the tabling of Bill C-64

The Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC), which represents 26 national health charities, welcomes the federal government’s introduction of Bill C-64 that will initially provide universal access for Canadians to diabetes medications and contraceptives. This is an important first step in establishing a national program to improve accessibility to pharmaceutical products for Canadians.

A recent poll commissioned by Heart & Stroke and the Canadian Cancer Society found that more than 1 in 4 (27%) are finding it difficult to afford the cost of prescriptions and 1 in 5 people in Canada do not have enough coverage. The poll also highlighted that 1 in 4 have had to make difficult choices to afford prescription drugs, such as cutting back on groceries, delaying rent, mortgage or other bills and incurring debt.  [i]

“The Health Charities Coalition of Canada believes that all people living in Canada should have equitable and timely access to necessary prescription medications based on the best health outcomes rather than the ability to pay” says Elizabeth Myles, Chair of HCCC and National Executive Director of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.  “The introduction of this Bill provides an opportunity to initiate a first of its kind program that will see patients gain improved access to specific classes of pharmaceuticals”.

HCCC strongly encourages all levels of government to ensure that patients are fully consulted in the ongoing development and implementation of the new national program.  When fully implemented the national program needs to ensure that all Canadians have access to prescription medication coverage, including all ages and those with acute, chronic and episodic illnesses, including rare diseases.

HCCC welcomes the opportunity to work with governments to ensure that other disease groups are included in the next phase of the national program.

About Health Charities Coalition of Canada
Founded in 2000, the Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC) is a member-based organization comprised of national health charities and patient groups who represent the voice of patients at all levels of the health continuum.  Our mandate is leading national collective action on health policy and health research to benefit patients living in Canada.
 

For more information, please contact:

Heather Idt

ea@healthcharities.ca