Labour leaders from across the country want provinces to cooperate on a National Universal Pharmacare Plan.
They made the announcement from St.Andrews, New Brunswick, where the group has been meeting this week.
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Leader Danny Cavanagh says government wastes $7.3 billion dollars every year without a pharmacare system.
He says a providing pharmacare would not only eliminate waste, but provide better healthcare to Canadians.
“We know currently that, in particular, a number of seniors and other people that can’t afford their medications often times go without.”
Cavanagh says Canada is the only developed country that provides universal health care but doesn’t provide universal coverage of prescription drugs.
He says no matter where you live in Canada, you should be able to access the medications you require to lead a healthy life.
“Some people are actually splitting their medications and cutting a pill in half, taking half today and half tomorrow to try and save some money. And that really causes more of a burden on the health care system.”
Cavanagh is calling on the public to let government know a Universal Pharmacare Plan is needed now.
We need a national #pharmacare plan that is single-payer to use our bulk-buying power to save billions of dollars each year. #canadaspremiers #cdnhealth #cdnpoli #canlab pic.twitter.com/iqXNXrxW0l
— Canada’s Nurses-CFNU (@CFNU) July 18, 2018
Reported by Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
