Cancer drugs costly for many Canadians, free for others

 National pharmacare program offering universal prescription coverage for all Canadians could help decrease inequities for cancer patients Prescription drug coverage is a major problem in Canada. Canadians not only pay significantly more for medication than consumers in many other developed countries but many inequities in access exist. One’s age, profession,

National Pharmacare simply makes cents

 By: Keith Newman, board member with the Canadian Health Coalition Will the federal government establish a national public drug plan? Our universal system of health care now covers doctors and hospitals and we are rightly proud of it. It’s time to include prescription drugs. Every other high-income country with universal public health

NAFTA re-negotiations may threaten Canada’s steps toward universal pharmacare

 By Ruth Lopert and Steve Morgan A “modernized NAFTA” has significant implications for many sectors of the economy -- and health care is one of them.  What’s at stake?  Canadians’ right to universal access to affordable medicines. When negotiating with the U.S. and Mexico, Canadian trade and health officials would

Why Private Health Insurance Coverage in Canada Needs a Review

 Last week, the media carried a story about a nine-year-old boy in New Brunswick who was denied private health coverage because of his weight (at 5 foot 2 inches and 135 pounds).  His family were shocked – as were many reading the story – that a child could be denied

Are we finally in a health election campaign?

 Why more affordable medications for Canadians should be an all-party priority in this federal election. It's become almost a matter of faith: health and health care are perennially among the top priorities for Canadians, but are nearly invisible in election platforms and debates. This observation has led health care providers, health care