Abstract
The movement for a national pharmacare plan in Canada is growing, but at the same time the multinational pharmaceutical companies and their supporters are critical of such a move. The three major arguments that they make are that all that is needed is to "fill in the gaps," ie, cover those who currently are uninsured or underinsured, that private drug plans are superior to public ones because they cover a larger number of drugs and that Canada cannot afford pharmacare. This commentary examines each of these arguments and makes the case that none of them is valid and that it is time to get on with implementing pharmacare.
Highlights
What these naysayers want is for Canada to continue with its mix of public and private payment that leaves the country with an annual per capita drug expenditure of US$806 against an OECD average of US$564
The movement for a national pharmacare plan in Canada is growing, but at the same time the multinational pharmaceutical companies and their supporters are critical of such a move
The three major arguments that they make are that all that is needed is to “fill in the gaps,” ie, cover those who currently are uninsured or underinsured, that private drug plans are superior to public ones because they cover a larger number of drugs and that Canada cannot afford pharmacare
Summary
What these naysayers want is for Canada to continue with its mix of public and private (insurance and out-of-pocket) payment that leaves the country with an annual per capita drug expenditure of US$806 against an OECD average of US$564.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International journal of health policy and management
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.