National pharmacare plan corrects gap in health care

Re Trudeau commits to extending prescription drug coverage, June 13

Congratulations to Dr. Eric Hoskins and the advisory council appointed by the federal government on its final report recommending a single payor, universal pharmacare plan for Canadians.

This report presents us with an opportunity to correct the gap in public health coverage that has existed since we failed to add drug coverage to medicare five decades ago.

We are now faced with a daunting challenge. There are stormy waters to navigate in achieving implementation. The key to success will be strong public support reflected in political will by federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Opposition to the plan will come directly in the form of partisan and ideological objections, dire warnings from manufacturing and insurance interest groups and indirectly as a result of apathy from some members of the public who feel content with their present drug coverage.

How can Canadians navigate these stormy waters? Put pressure on the federal government to adopt the plan, encourage provincial and territorial governments to co-operate, and question candidates in the upcoming federal election about their views.

There is an abundance of information to educate any naysayers who argue we can’t afford this plan. We simply cannot afford to not implement it.

Bill Wensley, Cobourg

What a surprise: Drug industry associations warn us of the negative consequences should Canada institute a national public pharmacare plan.

Kind of takes us back to their warnings of dire consequences should Canada adopt a national public health-care plan.

Their suggestion is to introduce piecemeal coverage beginning in 2022. No doubt they hope the delay will result in the election of federal government that will shelve the plan.

Canadians should wholeheartedly embrace pharmacare.

We appreciate the benefits of reaching for our health cards and not our wallets when we require health care. The prescribed medicines should be covered as well.

Gordon Wilson, Port Rowan, Ont.