Legislation to establish a framework towards national universal pharmacare in Canada has become law.

Bill C-64, known as the Pharmacare Act, aims to improve health equity, affordability and outcomes for Canadians by enabling the federal government to provide free coverage for contraception and diabetes medications.

The legislation is the first step in addressing inequities in Canada’s patchwork system of drug coverage, said Senator Kim Pate, who sponsored the bill in the Senate.

“It outlines a plan to work with all provinces and territories willing to provide universal single-payer coverage of necessary medicines, starting with a number of contraceptive and diabetes medications. This legislation could improve access to prescription drugs, promote safe and appropriate prescribing and bring relief to Canadian households and employers who struggle with the high cost of necessary medications,” she said.

• Read Senator Pate’s third reading speech here.

The legislation recognizes the role of provinces and territories, as well as Indigenous peoples, in delivering health care, Senator Pate noted.

“After all, Canada is large and diverse. Every province and territory has different needs and faces different challenges. This diversity necessitates a cooperative approach to help ensure that no Canadian is left behind,” she said.

“If we are going to transform a complex landscape of drug coverage into national pharmacare while also improving access and affordability, we must do so in collaboration with provinces and territories, relying upon their considerable expertise and experience. Therefore, every step taken toward national universal pharmacare needs to be taken in concert with these partners.”

Now that the legislation has received Royal Assent, the Minister of Health has 30 days to establish a committee of experts to make recommendations regarding the operation and financing of national, universal, single-payer pharmacare. The committee will have one year to report back with recommendations.