We are disappointed to see that, once again, the government has excluded the pharmaceutical industry’s voice from important discussions on Pharmacare in Canada. Our industry is at the forefront of discovering, developing and delivering life-changing medications to Canadians, and we support measures that increase access to these innovative medicines and treatments.
We have tried to work with the government as it develops its Pharmacare model, however, our perspectives continue to be overlooked. We are concerned that a one-size-fits-all approach will limit Canadians’ ability to access new, cutting-edge drugs, and may even cause them to lose access to more comprehensive treatment options. It could also displace the employer-sponsored coverage that millions of Canadians benefit from.
Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, on the patients who need timely access to life-changing medications. We call on this Committee and the government to advance an inclusive system where no Canadian is left waiting for the innovative treatments they need. We will continue to work with all levels of government to ensure that Canadians can access the medicines they need, when they need them.
