The provincial NDP believes it may not be too late to sign on to the National Pharmacare Program, but says government needs to continue to advocate to the federal government.

The program’s deadline has come and gone under the Liberal administration, which would have provided free coverage for diabetes medications and contraceptives.

The PCs have been pushing Ottawa to allow them to sign on to the program since.

NDP MHA Sheilagh O’Leary says the move would save big money for people who need it, but government needs to advocate further in order for that to happen.

“We have to keep pushing that, I mean, that is an issue that should have happened with the last government, and I don’t know why they didn’t push on that issue,” she told reporters.

“Other provinces obviously have benefited from it, and it is a big issue and it’s again another huge cost to the public.”