CPhA Calls on Health Committee to Consider Immediate Steps to Address Drug Access Issues
Enhancements to current system would provide relief to Canadians falling through the cracks
May 16, 2016 (Ottawa): The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) today called on the Standing Committee on Health to consider both incremental and longer-term approaches to pan-Canadian pharmacare, including immediate steps to close the coverage gap.
“We share a common goal that all Canadians should have access to the drugs and pharmacy services they need to be healthy,” said Perry Eisenschmid, CEO, Canadian Pharmacists Association. “It is important not only to look at longer-term solutions but also to consider options to enhance the current system that are practical, affordable, and could immediately help those Canadians who are falling through the cracks.”
CPhA also told the Committee that the goal of any pan-Canadian pharmacare model should be to provide optimal care—getting the right drug to the right person at the right time. An effective pharmacare system must not only address gaps in patient coverage, it must address gaps in access to services that support safe and effective drug therapy for patients.
“A pharmacare program that recognizes the role of pharmacist services in enhancing drug therapy would address many of the concerns this committee has heard about the need to go beyond simply paying for drugs, and instead address the care aspect of pharmacare,” added Eisenschmid.
Pharmacy services, which extend beyond dispensing prescription drugs, capitalize on pharmacists’ accessibility and expertise, and provide much-needed oversight to our system of pharmaceutical care. Ensuring access to drugs and pharmacy services is an investment in the health of Canadians.
CPhA is committed to working with the Committee, governments, patient groups and other stakeholders to develop a pan-Canadian pharmacare plan that puts patients first.
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About the Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Mark McCondach
Director of Communications
Canadian Pharmacists Association
mmccondach@pharmacists.ca
(613) 523-7877 Ext. 285