A panel tasked with examining access to prescription drugs is recommending a national, publicly funded pharmacare plan that is equitable and cost-effective for all.
The 35-member Citizens' Panel on Pharmacare in Canada will deliver their recommendations today to a Commons Committee on Health, including that immediate action is needed to address a current patchwork of public and private drug plans.
About 20 per cent of Canadians currently have little or no coverage for prescription meds.
The panel will suggest Ottawa's first move should be immediately implementing public coverage for a short list of frequently prescribed drugs -- such as those for treating high blood pressure and diabetes.