Ottawa, ON (October 11, 2024) – For the more than four million people living with diabetes in Canada, access to affordable medications is critical. As Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare, received Royal Assent, we applaud the Government of Canada for taking the initial steps towards the development of a plan to provide coverage for a range of diabetes medications. This will help tens of thousands of people living in Canada that currently do not have access to these medications.
However, many of the concerns brought forth by both Diabetes Canada and JDRF Canada remain unanswered. While the passing of this legislation is intended as the first step towards a national pharmacare program, the impact on the lives of people living with diabetes has yet to be fully understood. During parliamentary debate on Bill C-64, both Diabetes Canada and JDRF Canada, and many other stakeholders, emphasized that the best approach to establishing a national pharmacare program would be to focus on helping people who lack adequate coverage for their prescribed treatment regimens, and ensure there were no disruptions to private coverage. We recommended the inclusion of a provision to clarify that a federal pharmacare program will not jeopardize private insurance.
We raised our concerns directly with the Minister of Heath, and we have received personal assurances that private health insurance coverage will remain unchanged, and that Bill C-64 will only enhance access to care. While we appreciate his assurances and collaboration, people living with diabetes in Canada deserve the certainty of clear legislation that is legally binding.
We have also raised concerns with the current draft formulary for diabetes medications under Bill C-64 as they do not align with Diabetes Canada’s clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) which are rigorously developed to inform general patterns of care and public policy. Diabetes is a complex condition with a constantly expanding compendium of new therapies and medications that should be available and covered as options for care
With the legislation passed, the Minister of Health is now required to direct the Canadian Drug Agency to compile a list of essential medicines that will inform the national formulary. As such, Diabetes Canada and JDRF Canada continue to call for an immediate expansion and update of the background formulary to reflect the CPGs, so that people living with diabetes can access the medications they need, to support the best possible health outcomes.
As bilateral negotiations begin, we appeal to provincial and territorial governments to focus on our concerns to ensure that the needs of those living with diabetes are heard and their concerns addressed.
For more information:
Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322
E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca
