Who We Are
Complete the Plan is a national approach to pharmacare that will ensure universal coverage for all Canadians. We believe that the status quo is not acceptable and that it’s time to ensure that all Canadians have equitable access to medications and medication services regardless of income. We believe it’s time to Complete the Plan.
Our approach is based on the premise that a national pharmacare plan should allow patients to make their own choice about which drug coverage plan works best for them and shouldn’t result in any Canadian having less coverage than they currently have now. This plan will ensure continuity of care for those who have coverage while ‘Completing the Plan’ for those who need it most — those without coverage or whose coverage is inadequate. Our plan is affordable, sustainable and equitable.
Our Goal
That ALL Canadians have affordable access to the medications and medication services they need to live a healthy life.
Our Approach to Pharmacare
Prescription medication coverage must be easily accessible and inclusive of a broad range of medications. Many Canadians already have this level of coverage through existing plans. That’s why we believe a national pharmacare program should focus its benefits on Canadians who do not currently have coverage, or whose coverage is inadequate.
Universal access to prescription drug coverage can be achieved while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction for the delivery of health care. The Federal Government can accomplish this by setting guiding principles for Pharmacare that optimize public awareness and utilization of existing drug plans and which target new funding to enhance existing levels of coverage where public and private programs do not provide adequate coverage — such as shortfalls experienced by low-income workers, self-employed or patients facing catastrophic drug costs or paying for drugs for rare diseases.
By Completing the Plan, Canadians who are satisfied with their current drug plan coverage can keep their plan. Canadians who don’t have drug coverage or who’s coverage isn’t enough, would now have the choice to access plans that will ensure complete coverage for their unique needs.
Why Complete the Plan?
We’re excited to be a part of the conversation on national pharmacare. We believe the government can implement an approach that gives patients the ability to keep their current plans and focus on providing coverage to those who need it most. By taking this approach, we can minimize the cost to government, avoid tax increases, and save money for other important health-care priorities.
Defining Principles
We believe any new Canadian pharmacare model must satisfy five patient-centred principles:
• Equity: Every Canadian should have equitable and consistent access to necessary prescription medications.
• Timeliness of Access: All Canadians should be able to access the medicines they need in a timely manner.
• Appropriateness of Therapy: All Canadians should have access to high quality and effective medications that are appropriate to their individual needs.
• Affordability: All Canadians should be able to afford their medications at point of care and no Canadian should face cost barriers to prescription access.
• Sustainability: All Canadians should benefit from a pharmacare system that ensures ongoing health system sustainability.
How We Get There?
There is a unique opportunity in Canada for the federal government to work with the provincial and territorial governments to ensure that every Canadian has access to the medication they need.
This can be achieved by:
1. Establishing guiding principles of Pharmacare with the provinces and territories to ensure that every Canadian has access to the medication they need, regardless of where they live, if they are employed or how much money they make. These principles should state that:
i. Every Canadian should have access to a prescription drug program. whether private or public.
ii. Every Canadian should have a choice in maintaining their existing drug coverage or opting into a provincial or territorial drug program.
iii. Every drug program (whether public or private) should include coverage for all drugs listed on a comprehensive Minimum National Formulary created by the Canadian Drug Agency (however drug plans can elect to cover more than the Minimum National Formulary).
iv. Every drug program should include coverage for catastrophic care that ensures the coverage of drug expenses that exceed a threshold compared to household income (for example, 3% of household income).
v. Every drug program should include special coverage for rare diseases to be developed in alignment with the Federal Government’s Rare Disease Strategy.
2. Providing federal sustainable funding to the provinces and territories to help bring all residents under a drug plan or to assist in updating and improving coverage where required including by increasing the Canada Health Transfer.