Bill Detail
An Act respecting pharmacare ✓ Became Law
This enactment sets out the principles that the Minister of Health is to consider when working towards the implementation of national universal pharmacare and provides the Minister with the power to make payments, in certain circumstances, in relation to the coverage of certain prescription drugs and related products. It also sets out certain powers and obligations of the Minister — including in relation to the preparation of a list to inform the development of a national formulary and in relation to the development of a national bulk purchasing strategy — and requires the Minister to publish a pan-Canadian strategy regarding the appropriate use of prescription drugs and related products. Finally, it provides for the establishment of a committee of experts to make certain recommendations.
Bill C-64, also known as the Pharmacare Act, lays the groundwork for a national universal prescription drug coverage program in Canada. It outlines principles the Minister of Health must consider when working with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples to make medications more accessible and affordable for everyone. This includes developing a list of essential drugs and a strategy for buying medications in bulk. The bill also obliges the Minister to make certain payments for drug coverage and requires the creation of a committee of experts to advise on implementation.
Legislative Timeline
Votes
Yes / No Ratio
How each party voted
| Party | Position | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloc | No | 0% | 100% |
| Conservative | No | 0% | 100% |
| Green | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| Liberal | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| NDP | Yes | 100% | 0% |