Dr. Bettina Hamelin
President,
Innovative Medicines Canada
Canada needs a pharmacare solution that expands access without limiting choice or disrupting care for those who rely on critical medications.
Kathy is a new mother whose child relies on a specific type of insulin to control her type 1 diabetes. However, under the proposed federal pharmacare program, she would lose access to this insulin product and be forced to switch to one covered by the new program. Life as a new mother is stressful enough without the added burden of switching her child’s life-saving medication.
Canadians deserve a healthcare system that ensures timely, reliable, and equitable access to the medicines they need, not one that limits choice or disrupts their existing care.
Instead of addressing gaps in drug coverage, the federal government is proposing a sweeping restructuring that could leave millions of Canadians worse off than they are now. The proposed pharmacare framework threatens to replace a system that works for most Canadians with a one-size-fits-all approach that limits choice and delays access to innovation.
The risk: fewer options, more barriers
Canada’s dual public-private system ensures that millions of Canadians have access to a broad range of medicines through private insurance, often much faster than public plans. Many private plans also cover a wider selection of medicines than government formularies. However, under a federal government-run model, even widely used treatments could be excluded due to cost-containment priorities.
This shift could leave patients who rely on employer-sponsored plans without access to the medications they depend on. Doctors and patients may no longer have the flexibility to choose treatments based on individual medical needs. Instead, decisions about which drugs are covered could be determined by federal government administrators, prioritizing cost savings over patient care.
For those managing chronic illnesses, rare diseases, or complex conditions, losing access to the right medication could be life-altering. No two patients are alike, and not all medicines work the same for everyone. Many individuals with conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or mental health illnesses undergo a lengthy process of trial and error before finding an effective treatment. If a government-run plan excludes the medication that works best for them, patients may be forced to switch to a less effective alternative — or, in some cases, go without treatment altogether.
No two patients are alike, and not all medicines work the same for everyone.
The bigger picture: uncertainty at home and abroad
The proposed changes to Canada’s drug coverage system come at a time of widespread uncertainty. Canadians are already struggling with a growing primary care crisis, where millions lack access to a family doctor. The economic instability, driven by global trade tensions — including new tariff threats from the U.S. — has increased pressure on households and businesses. And rising costs, from housing to groceries, have become a central concern for families across the country. Introducing major, structural changes to drug coverage in this environment risks creating even more uncertainty.
Countries that have adopted centralized, government-run drug plans, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, have experienced slower access to new medicines compared to Canada. Rather than following this path, Canada should focus on a pragmatic, patient-focused strategy that strengthens the system without dismantling what works.
A smarter approach: expanding access without restricting choice
A smarter approach would ensure that every Canadian has access to the medicines they depend on without forcing millions onto a plan that may not meet their needs. Addressing gaps in coverage must be done in a way that accelerates access to new treatments, reduces administrative barriers, and protects patient choice.
Despite the significant impact these proposed changes could have on patients, the federal government has engaged in minimal consultation with the provinces, healthcare professionals, or industry leaders. These are the very stakeholders who will be responsible for making pharmacare work, yet they haven’t been given a real seat at the table.
There’s no need to dismantle a system that works for most Canadians to help those who need additional support. Rather than imposing a costly, one-size-fits-all model, the government should work with provinces, healthcare experts, and industry stakeholders to strengthen existing programs, enhance access, and protect patient choice.
To learn more, visit innovativemedicines.ca.
This article was sponsored by Innovative Medicines Canada.
