Ottawa, PEI sign pharmacare agreement

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P.E.I. and Ottawa have signed two deals worth $40 million, aimed at providing better access to contraceptives and diabetes medication, as well as improving access to medication for rare diseases.

P.E.I. is the third province to sign such a deal with the federal government. Within the last two weeks, Manitoba and B.C. signed similar deals with Ottawa.

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The federal Pharmacare Act received royal assent in the fall. The Trudeau government has described this bill, which was a condition of the 2022 Liberal agreement with the New Democratic Party, as the first phase of a national universal pharmacare program.

Canadians pay some of the highest drug prices in the industrialized world, according to a 2019 report by former Ontario health minister Eric Hoskins.

Federal Health Minister Mark Holland and P.E.I. Health Minister Mark McLane announced the agreement at a media event at The Mount Continuing Care Community in Charlottetown on March 7.

Holland said patients diagnosed with diabetes often face unexpected costs for medication and supplies, such as test strips. Many often end up having to choose between paying for their medication or supplies and paying for essentials like rent.

“This is not the country we want. And it makes no sense. Because as I said at the top, this isn’t just about social justice,” Holland said.

“It’s not just about ensuring that every patient has access to the medication that they need. But it’s about them being productive and healthy and happy.”

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McLane said the federal funding will build upon P.E.I.’s existing diabetes program.

This program has already reduced co-pays for the most common diabetes medications to $5.

“It’s part of the reason we are here today – because our program is strong and we are ready to move forward with new investments and expanded supports.”

Jenn Redmond, minister responsible for the status of women, said better access to contraception would allow Island residents to make the best choices for their own health.

“It is Important to recognize that having access to contraceptives is a fundamental access of women and individual’s health and autonomy,” Redmond said.

Coverage details not fully released

P.E.I.’s agreement includes $30 million over four years for universal coverage of contraceptive and diabetes medication. This funding will also improve coverage of diabetes devices and supplies. Coverage will begin on May 1, 2025, according to a federal government statement.

The full details of what will be covered in P.E.I. were not provided to The Guardian as of deadline on Friday. But a statement from the P.E.I. Department of Health said the agreement will allow for coverage of 18 insulin and oral diabetic medication, with no co-pays.

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Jenn Redmond, P.E.I.’s minister responsible for the status of women, applauded the new $30 million agreement, which will result in universal coverage for contraception.A statement from the P.E.I. Department of Health said the new Ottawa-P.E.I. agreement will offer coverage for a number of diabetic testing strips for non-insulin dependent diabetics. But the statement said these strips will have a “small copay similar to what patients with insulin dependent diabetes pay.”

During the press conference, McLane said a $5 co-pay would still apply to test strips. He said further details would be rolled out on May 1.

A list of the 18 medications that will be covered by the agreement was requested but not provided to The Guardian by deadline.

Staff from P.E.I.’s Department of Health also did not clarify if this coverage will be extended to those who already have private health insurance, either through an employer or otherwise.

Aside from the $30 million for diabetes and contraception, another $10 million will be allocated to improving access to drugs for rare diseases, as well as early diagnosis and screening.

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Treatments for rare diseases can cost between $100,000 and $4 million per year, according to a Health Canada statement.

This $10 million in funding, under the national strategy for drugs for rare diseases, will provide coverage for three drugs:

– Poteligeo, used for treatment of mycosis fungoides or Sezary syndrome.
– Epkily, used to treat relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
– Koselugo, used to treat of neurofibromatosis type 1.

The combined $40 million deals come ahead of the selection of a new prime minister by members of the federal Liberal party. It is possible this could trigger an election call as early as this spring.

During the press conference, Holland suggested the federal Conservatives have not been clear about whether they support coverage of these medications.

“I would say they’ve got to come clean with folks. If they don’t believe people should have diabetes medication or contraceptives then be straight with people. But you can’t hide in shadows,” Holland said.

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