The committee will provide practical advice on the next phases of drug insurance
November 14, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada
Every Canadian deserves to have access to the medications they need, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. No Canadian should have to choose between purchasing the medications that keep them healthy and putting food on the table. This is why the government presented the Law concerning prescription drug insurance.
Today, the Honorable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced the creation of the Expert Panel that will recommend options on how to manage and fund a national, universal, single-payer pharmacare plan in Canada. The Committee will be composed of the following members:
- Dr. Nav Persaud (Chair)
- Dr Stéphane Ahern
- Amy Lamb
- Le Dr Steve Morgan
- Linda Silas
Over the coming year, the Committee will provide advice and guidance on the path forward to achieving a national pharmacare plan in Canada. As part of its work, it will engage with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous groups and experts in relevant fields, including public and private drug plan administrators, patients, healthcare providers health, industry, business, unions and academia, and will take their views into account.
The Committee will provide the Minister, by October 10, 2025, with a written report setting out its recommendations, which the Minister will table in Parliament.
The Government of Canada is committed to working with provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples and other partners and stakeholders to improve access to prescription drugs for all Canadians. Discussions for bilateral agreements with provinces and territories on universal coverage of contraception and diabetes medications are underway.
The adoption of the Law concerning prescription drug insurance was a critical step in improving health equity and affordability and will save the health care system long-term.
