National pharmacare deal ‘promising’ for Manitobans, advocate says

'Currently in Manitoba, if you don't have coverage, you have to pay a deductible to get access to me to the pharmacare plan. For some people, that's a barrier.'

An uphill battle may soon level out a little in Manitoba after a federal agreement to introduce the first piece of a national pharmacare program.

On Friday, the federal NDPs and Liberals shook hands on the program, which includes coverage for birth control and diabetes medication.

Molly McCracken, a board member of the Manitoba Health Coalition (MHC), said this will reduce barriers to health care in Manitoba.

“Currently in Manitoba, if you don’t have coverage, you have to pay a deductible to get access to the pharmacare plan. For some people, that’s a barrier. There’s also drugs that aren’t covered on the formulary, and people pay out of pocket for that.

“So particularly now when we’re in an affordability crisis, it’s very important that the government move forward on this as quickly as possible.”

McCracken said this will also free up the provincial wallet after the new NDP government campaigned on a promise to provide free contraceptives.

“They had estimated that would be about $11 million a year. So now with the federal government stepping in to say they will provide that, that allows Manitoba to expand their access,” she said.

“We just hope that Manitoba uses that new federal money to expand access here, because we know there’s so many pressing needs for our health system.”