B.C. Joins National Pharmacare Plan, Paving Way for Universal Drug Coverage

Posted by on March 06, 2025

BC Health Coalition Celebrates Province's Decision to Join National Pharmacare, Calling it a Win for Patients and Public Health Care

 

Thursday, March 6th 2025

VANCOUVER, B.C. — 

British Columbia’s decision to join the national Pharmacare program is a historic win that is a critical step toward protecting our public health care system and strengthening our bargaining power. 

The announcement comes in the wake of announcements of tariffs on Canadian goods, highlighting the need for cost-effective public health care policies. With prescription drug costs rising, this agreement promises relief for patients and long-term savings for the health care system.

“Many people rely on workplace benefits for drug coverage, but those benefits can disappear with job loss or cuts — a reality thousands could face as industries brace for the impact of Trump tariffs. A universal Pharmacare plan will protect lives and ensure no one is left behind, ” said Ayendri Riddell, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the BC Health Coalition.

Drugs are the second biggest expenditure in our health care system. Canada spends even more on drugs than on doctors and health care workers. US and other foreign-owned Pharmaceutical companies take advantage of our fractured system to set prices high. By negotiating drug prices through bulk purchasing, we strengthen our bargaining power, which will significantly lower prices for medication. This is why every other developed country with a public health care system includes Pharmacare - and consequently spends much less than us. Pharmacare saves lives and money.

“By leveraging bulk purchasing, we can drive down skyrocketing drug prices, relieve pressure on public resources, and generate billions in annual savings,” said Riddell

The BC government coverage of contraceptives was already an example of the great version of Pharmacare. By using the additional funding provided by the Federal government to include medications for menopausal symptoms, BC is laying the groundwork to expand coverage beyond the initial drug classes and move us closer to full, universal prescription drug coverage. 

“This is a pivotal moment in the decades-long fight for universal Pharmacare. Now, we need every province to step up and for the program to expand beyond the initial two drug classes, so that we can benefit from the full promise of Pharmacare,” said Scott Delong, Co-chair of the BC Health Coalition.

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CONTACT

Ayendri Riddell

Director of Policy and Campaigns, BC Health Coalition

Phone:  604 787 6560

Email:   [email protected]

The BC Health Coalition is a B.C.-wide non-partisan, non-profit coalition of community members, health care workers, researchers, NGO and community service providers. We base our policy positions on peer-reviewed research and on our mission to strengthen and defend the public health care system. 

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