Pharmacare law cannot be implemented in unfair, inequitable way, former advisory council chair says

The pharmacare act passed into law last October after being introduced by the Liberals following protracted negotiations with the New Democrats.

Ottawa must resume talks with jurisdictions that have not yet reached agreements to ensure free access to diabetes medications and supplies, as well as contraceptives, said the former chair of a pharmacare advisory council.

Eric Hoskins, whose council issued a report on the implementation of pharmacare in 2019, said in an interview there are currently millions of Canadians who could benefit from the federal government providing public coverage so patients do not have to pay out of pocket.

But the medical doctor and former Ontario doctor said this is up in the air “unless you’re lucky enough” to be from one of four jurisdictions – Manitoba