Canadian Doctors for Medicare Urges Minister Michel and Prime Minister Carney to continue Pharmacare negotiations with the provinces
Toronto, August 13, 2025 – Canadian Doctors for Medicare is very concerned that federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Prime Minister Carney have not committed to continuing Pharmacare negotiations with provinces and territories. The previous Liberal government passed the Pharmacare Act in October 2024, which enabled provinces and territories to engage in bilateral agreements with the federal government to provide full public coverage for diabetes and contraceptive medications. The Trudeau government signed agreements with British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Yukon since the passage of the Pharmacare Act. Despite voicing a strong commitment to Pharmacare during the 2025 federal election, Prime Minister Carney has since refrained from agreeing to continue negotiations and expand medication coverage to other provinces and territories.
“Shutting down Pharmacare negotiations is a short-sighted move that will lead to unfair differences in access to medication across Canada,” said Dr. Bernard Ho, Vice Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare and emergency / family physician based in Toronto. “How can we be ‘Canada Strong’ if patients in one province can access medications free of charge, but those in the province next door have to pay thousands of dollars per year to stay healthy?”
Prime Minister Carney has proposed a drastic 15% cut to Canada’s budget. Canadian Doctors for Medicare appreciates that federal resources are limited, particularly in the context of tumultuous trade relations with the United States. Yet uncertain economic times are the best time to provide public medication coverage. Economists have estimated that Canada will face a rising employment rate and the loss of 140,000 jobs in the coming months. As 55% of Canadians rely on employer-sponsored private insurance plans for their medication coverage, job loss will inevitably lead to loss in coverage of medications. Patients who are unable to take their medication are subject to complications that further strain our already over-burdened publicly-funded health care system.
“Prior research found that providing patients with medications without charge would lead to 220,000 fewer emergency department visits and 90,000 fewer hospitalizations each year, which would save the system over $1 billion,” said Dr. Melanie Bechard, Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare and pediatric emergency physician based in Ottawa. “Refusing to cover patients’ medications is just going to shift costs over to our public health care system and cause a lot of suffering in the process”.
Canadian Doctors for Medicare offers evidence-based summaries on the importance of universal medication coverage in maintaining population health and ensuring health system sustainability: https://www.canadiandoctorsformedicare.ca/pharmacareresources
“My patients often need to decide between paying for medication or putting food on the table,” said Dr. Bernard Ho. “It’s disappointing to see the hope from the Pharmacare Act dashed out so quickly. We recognize that tough times are ahead – but that’s even more reason to ensure that people can access the medications they need, no matter where they live in Canada”.
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About Canadian Doctors for Medicare
Canadian Doctors for Medicare is a nationwide, evidence-based nonpartisan member organization dedicated to strengthening and preserving Canada’s publicly-funded health care system. We advocate for innovations in treatment and prevention services that are evidence-based and improve access, quality, equity, and sustainability.
For more information, please contact:
Zareef Ahmad
National Director, Canadian Doctors for Medicare
[email protected]