Statement - National Pharmacare should ensure access to medicines for all

Statement - National Pharmacare should ensure access to medicines for all

OTTAWA, April 19, 2018 /CNW/ - The following statement can be attributed to Pamela Fralick, President, Innovative Medicines Canada.

"Innovative Medicines Canada agrees with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health on the premise that all Canadians should have equitable and affordable access to the medicines they need when they need them.

While there is robust private and public drug coverage in Canada, a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada shows that that some Canadians are falling through the cracks because they have no coverage or insufficient coverage.

Based on an early read of the report of the Standing Committee on Health, there are many complex issues to work through to better understand the intent of their recommendations and whether they would achieve the objective of ensuring all Canadians have timely and affordable access to prescription drugs.

The innovative pharmaceutical industry looks forward to engaging in this important national dialogue with the National Advisory Council on the Implementation of Pharmacare, led by Dr. Eric Hoskins, and with all stakeholders on how best to move forward to ensure all Canadians have access to prescription drugs."

ABOUT INNOVATIVE MEDICINES CANADA

Innovative Medicines Canada is the national voice of Canada's innovative pharmaceutical industry. We advocate for policies that enable the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and vaccines that improve the lives of all Canadians. We support our members' commitment to being valued partners in the Canadian healthcare system.

Sarah Dion-Marquis, Director, Media and Public Relations, Telephone: 613-769-6510, E-mail: sdmarquis@imc-mnc.ca

SOURCE Innovative Medicines Canada