‘Not consulted’: Alberta health minister questions Ottawa’s national pharmacare plan
EDMONTON — Alberta’s health minister is questioning the need for a national pharmacare plan, saying the province already has a comprehensive program for seniors, those on a low-income and those who receive disability benefits.
The federal NDP said last week it had reached a deal on pharmacare with the Liberal government that would allow every Canadian with a health card to access free diabetes medication and birth control.
The coverage is to be included in the first piece of a national pharmacare program — a key pillar of the supply-and-confidence agreement between the two parties — with legislation expected to be introduced in the House of Commons this week.
“We were not consulted about the federal government’s plan, and although information available to us is limited, we have concerns about the proposed limited scope,” Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said in a statement Monday.