Canada’s federal government will soon cover the full cost of contraception and diabetes medications for Canadians. The Pharmacare Act is the first step of a larger national plan to make more prescription drugs free. Right now, Canadians pay for prescriptions through a mix of private insurance, public plans, and out-of-pocket expenses — which can get pricey. For the 3.7 million Canadians living with diabetes, out-of-pocket costs can soar to $18,300 a year. And for those needing contraceptives, birth control pills can cost $300 a year, and a single IUD can cost $500. With this new bill, the government aims to help the 3 million Canadians who don’t fill their prescriptions simply because they can’t afford it. The feds are hoping that by next spring, all provinces will be on board with the plan, according to the federal health minister. Canada’s a little late to the party on this one… we’re the only country with universal healthcare that doesn’t also have universal pharmacare.
