Ontarians Deserve Pharmacare: CDM and Ontario MPP Health Care Leaders Urge Premier Ford and Minister Jones to Sign Pharmacare Agreement 

December 3, 2025 – Canadian Doctors for Medicare, joined by current and former Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament with professional backgrounds in health care, are calling on Premier Ford and Minister Jones to commit to and immediately begin negotiating a bilateral pharmacare agreement with the federal government to ensure that Ontarians gain access to essential diabetes and contraceptive medicines.

Despite the federal government’s commitment to the Pharmacare Act last year, the Ontario government has made no measurable progress toward signing a bilateral agreement. While the province has stated it is willing to work collaboratively, Ontarians remain without the protections and cost savings that pharmacare would provide.

Meanwhile, there is a growing disparity across Canada in access to universal contraception and diabetes medications. British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon have already signed pharmacare agreements and are moving ahead with implementation. Ontario is at risk of falling behind.

Too many Ontarians are forced to make impossible choices: leaving prescriptions unfilled, rationing lifesaving medications, or forgoing basic necessities such as food and heating to pay for the medicines they need.

Dr. Danyaal Raza, family doctor and Board Director of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, underscored the urgency of the moment, stating:

“Too many people in Ontario are choosing between groceries, their rent or mortgage, and medically necessary medications. Fairness demands that Ontarians have, at the very least, the same access to life-saving and life-affirming medications as residents of BC, Manitoba, Yukon, and PEI.”

Dr. Raza’s call is being echoed by others.

“The true vision of our universal, publicly funded healthcare system won’t be fulfilled for as long as patients can’t afford the medications they require,” said Dr. Adil Shamji. “Ontario has a tremendous opportunity to unleash our full potential by signing a pharmacare agreement without delay. This will ensure all patients receive the dignified, comprehensive healthcare they deserve.”

Providing universal access to contraceptives and diabetes medications would meaningfully improve the lives of millions of Ontarians and reduce pressure on the public health care system.

Physician leaders are continuing to speak up.

“Across the province, people are making impossible choices. They are splitting pills, skipping doses, or going without necessities in order to afford life-saving medication. One in five Canadians have no drug coverage at all, and Ontario has some of the highest drug deductibles in the country. There is no reason Ontarians should be left behind when other provinces have already stepped up,” said Dr. Robin Lennox.

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To see the letter, "Ontarians Deserve Pharmacare", sent to Premier Ford and Minister Sylvia Jones, please click here. 

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]