Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham has written to Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for immediate federal pharmacare negotiations after Ottawa signed agreements with only four provinces, leaving the Atlantic province without funding for diabetes medications and contraceptives.
In a Feb. 3 letter, Wakeham said the federal approach has created inequities in access to essential medications across Canada. The federal government provided pharmacare funding to four jurisdictions while deferring engagement with remaining provinces and territories.
Wakeham first raised concerns with federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel in November and has since written to Michel and the prime minister multiple times. Provincial Health Minister Lela Evans also wrote to Michel in January.
Province cites health challenges
Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the highest diabetes rates in Canada, according to the letter. Wakeham said ensuring residents can access necessary medications without paying extra is a government priority.
The province is ready to resume negotiations with Ottawa, according to Wakeham.
“National pharmacare is a milestone in Canadian healthcare and must be implemented fairly and equitably among all provinces and territories for the benefit of all Canadians, no matter where they live,” Wakeham wrote in the letter.
Federal program covers select medications
The national pharmacare program provides coverage for select diabetes medications and contraceptives. Four provinces have signed funding agreements with Ottawa, while negotiations with other jurisdictions have been deferred.
Wakeham said his government hopes Newfoundland and Labrador residents will soon receive the same support available in other jurisdictions.
The premier copied Evans, Michel and Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson on the correspondence.
