Question 1: National pharmacare
Canada’s universal healthcare system does not include access to prescription medicines. The result is a provincial/territorial patchwork of public and private insurance plans that are costly, ineffective and do not guarantee access to prescribed drugs. The federal government has set up an Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare to look at how access to prescription drugs can be improved in our healthcare system. Patients throughout PEI are concerned that national pharmacare will lead to a list of covered drugs that only meets the lowest common denominator.
? If elected, will your government support the implementation of a national pharmacare program that guarantees access to prescription medicines and a coverage plan that goes beyond a formulary that meets the lowest common denominator?
? If not, please explain how your party will ensure that Islanders will have timely and affordable access to prescription drugs.
The Green Party is committed to the implementation of a national pharmacare program and it is one of our key intergovernmental priorities. While it is difficult to predict the outcome of future negotiations, the Green Party aspires to reach a framework that provides the best access possible within our means.
Question 2: Information on breast density
Over 40% of women over the age of 40 have dense breasts. Having dense breasts can make it more difficult for radiologists viewing mammograms to spot cancer because dense breast tissue shows up as white, which is the same color as a cancerous tumour. Dense breasts increase an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer, and as a result, are missed on a mammogram.
? If elected to government, will you commit to notifying all women their breast density upon receipt of their mammogram reports?
? If elected to government, will you commit to raising public awareness and education on breast density?
We would commit to requiring the relevant health care professionals to notify women of their breast density upon receipt of their mammogram report. We are open to working with health professionals and the community to determine the best ways to educate the public on breast density.
Question 3: Cancer and pesticide use
Many Islanders are concerned about the link between cancer and pesticide use in the agricultural industry.
? If elected to government, what will your party do to address this issue?
The PEI Chief Public Health Officer’s 2016 report says “pesticides used in PEI do not pose a significant public health risk when used according to Health Canada’s usage and safety precaution labeling. Specifically, eliminating the use of all pesticides in PEI would have little or no impact on Island disease rates, including cancer rates.” The Green Party is committed to ensuring that the agricultural industry respects best practices and regulations for pesticides use, and would look at improving buffer zones. Our platform also commits funding to support farmers seeking to transition to organic farming. We are open to restrictions on the use of cosmetic pesticides. The Green Party is committed to ensuring that the agricultural industry respects best practices and regulations for pesticides use, and would look at improving buffer zones. Our platform also commits funding to support farmers seeking to transition to organic farming. We are open to restrictions on the use of cosmetic pesticides.