NSGEU Supports Pharmacare

Our Federal government is in the process of developing a national Pharmacare plan, which would fill a huge gap in our existing universal health care system: ensuring all Canadians, regardless of income, would be able to access medications they need.

According to a recent report commissioned by the national nurses’ union, up to 640 Canadians die prematurely each year from one disease alone because of unaffordable medications, and another 70,000 older Canadians suffer avoidable health deterioration annually because of financial barriers to medications.

This is unacceptable.

The NSGEU is a strong proponent of our public health care system, and is strongly in favour of expanding this system to include a universal, single-payer national pharmacare program, which would effectively extend public health insurance from primary care and hospitals to include prescription drugs outside of hospitals.

Find out more about Pharmacare on the Canadian Labour Congress’ campaign website

We are disappointed to see that the Canadian Nursing Association is actually supporting a mix of existing private and government insurance programs. There is no room in Canada’s public health care system for profit.

The Federal government is still looking for public input on our future Pharmacare program. You have until September 28^th to have your say: we encourage you to join the conversation. https://www.letstalkhealth.ca/pharmacare

In solidarity,

Jason MacLean

President, NSGEU