Pharmacare Bill Covering Diabetes, Birth Control Drugs Passes Senate – National
THE drug insurance This bill, which was at the heart of a political pact between the Liberals and the NDP, is now on the verge of becoming law after the Senate passed it without making any changes.
The law will inform the creation of any future national and universal pharmacare plan.
This will also allow the government to sign agreements with the provinces and territories to cover diabetes and contraceptive medications within the public health system.
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The wording and content of the bill were carefully negotiated under the now-defunct Appropriations and Confidence Agreement between the NDP and Liberals.
British Columbia has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Ottawa to launch the program in that province.
Health Minister Mark Holland hopes to have all provinces and territories sign on to the bill by next spring, but the bill will need to receive royal assent before these agreements can be officially signed.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
