A think-tank that aims for the improvement of public programs and services is calling on the federal government to begin bargaining with provinces that do not have Pharmacare but are interested in signing on to the program.

So far, only British Columbia, PEI, Manitoba, and the Yukon have signed deals for universal coverage of diabetes medications and contraceptives. Health ministers from PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador have been told by federal officials according to the Council of Canadians that no new deals will be signed and funding for existing deals will not be renewed beyond March 2029.

Speaking on the Tim Powers Show on VOCM, Yvonne Earle of the Avalon chapter of the council pointed to a recent survey which found that 82 per cent of residents wanted to be able to avail of Pharmacare.

“Sixty-one percent were having trouble paying for their medications, and 22 per cent said that they weren’t taking their meds because they couldn’t afford them. And look where costs have gone since then – everything has gone up,” said Earle.

She says one idea that was previously explored was doing a regional program with the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador.

She says such a concept was explored when Dwight Ball was premier, but it did not go anywhere.