March 19, 2024 – The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network welcomes the tabling of Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare. This legislation represents a significant step forward towards achieving universal, first dollar coverage pharmacare in Canada, which is a critical goal for CCSN and for cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors across the country.
We applaud the following key aspects of Bill C-64:
- Commitment to improved accessibility and affordability: The Act recognizes the financial burden of prescription medications and commits to improving affordability and access for all Canadians. This is particularly important for cancer survivors, many of whom require ongoing medication to manage their condition.
- Focus on essential medicines: The development of a national formulary, recommended by the Canadian Drug Agency (CDA), will ensure access to essential medications for all Canadians, including those needed for cancer treatment and management.
- National bulk purchasing strategy: This strategy has the potential to reduce costs and improve access to medications for all provinces and territories, benefiting cancer patients and survivors across the country.
- Establishment of a committee of experts: This committee will provide valuable recommendations on the implementation and financing of national pharmacare, ensuring a sustainable and effective program.
However, CCSN strongly believes that patients, caregivers, and survivors are the ultimate stakeholders in their own healthcare journey and their perspectives and experiences are invaluable in shaping policies and programs that truly meet their needs and improve their quality of life. They must be given a seat at the table, both at the committee of experts and the Canadian Drug Agency, and decisions must not be made without prior consultation with these groups.
While acknowledging that Bill C-64 is a significant first step, it is important for policymakers to remember to acknowledge those affected by cancer. They face a unique challenge in the current healthcare system: the prohibitive cost of many life-saving cancer medications. These drugs are some of the most expensive ones, and often cost tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars per year, placing a significant financial burden on patients and their families.
National pharmacare can and must address this issue.
- Financial burden: The high cost of cancer drugs can force patients to choose between critical medication and basic necessities like food or housing. Pharmacare has the potential to alleviate this burden by covering the cost of these medications, ensuring financial barriers don’t impede access to essential treatment.
- Improved access and equity: Without pharmacare, access to these lifesaving drugs can be unequal, with patients relying on private insurance or facing financial hardship if uninsured. Pharmacare can guarantee equitable access, ensuring all Canadians, regardless of their income or socioeconomic status, have access to the treatment they need.
- Sustainability and cost-effectiveness: While the initial investment in pharmacare may seem significant, it can ultimately lead to cost savings for the healthcare system. This is because pharmacare can negotiate lower drug prices through bulk purchasing and potentially reduce the need for more expensive hospitalizations due to untreated or poorly managed cancer.
- Focus on essential medications: The development of a national formulary, informed by the Canadian Drug Agency (CDA), should prioritize essential cancer medications based on clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This ensures that limited resources are directed towards the most impactful treatments for the greatest number of patients. Patients must be included in consultations.
The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) strongly encourages the inclusion of essential cancer drugs in the national pharmacare program. This will ensure that all Canadians with cancer, regardless of their financial background, have access to the medications they need to fight their disease and live a fulfilling life.
No one individual should be denied access to the medication that they need based on where they live. With Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador being the out-lying provinces that do not cover take home cancer drugs, should they agree to the Pharmacare Act, it would create equitable access across the country for all cancer patients.
For additional information about cancer patients and survivors having to pay for take-home cancer drugs if they don’t have insurance coverage, check out CanCertainty of which CCSN is a member. The CanCertainty Coalition is the united voice of more than 30 Canadian patient groups, cancer health charities, and caregiver organizations from across the country, joining together with oncologists and cancer care professionals to significantly improve the affordability and accessibility of cancer treatment.
CCSN remains committed to working with the government and all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of a comprehensive and accessible national pharmacare program that meets the needs of all Canadians, including cancer survivors.