Updates

On 24 May 2024, the Government of Canada announced that Canadians would have universal (publicly insured) access to birth control and diabetes medication. This announcement is part of the first phase of Bill C-64, the Act Respecting Pharmacare, unveiled on 29 February 2024, which puts forward a $1.5 billion plan for a universal pharmacare program in Canada. Universal pharmacare is a key priority in the 2022 pact reached by the federal Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party. Coverage for birth control ensures 9 million Canadians of reproductive age have access to contraceptives. Guaranteeing financial access to diabetes medications will reportedly improve the health of 3.7 million Canadians living with diabetes. The Bill has passed several key legislative stages and, if passed, coverage may begin by spring 2025. This reform assumes provinces are responsible for its administration. Accordingly, while British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador are supportive, provinces like Quebec and Alberta have resisted these changes, and Ontario is awaiting additional details on how a national pharmacare program would work. Despite the SAC Agreement, provincial resistance to the reform on these grounds may delay the Bill’s passing.