Full universal pharmacare\u2014the kind Tommy Douglas imagined\u2014means no one is left behind when it comes to the medication they need. Today, Jagmeet Singh announced the next step toward that vision: beginning with essential medicines.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s simple,\u201d said Singh. \u201cIf your doctor gives you a prescription, you should be able to get it\u2014full stop. That\u2019s what real universal health care means\u2014and that\u2019s what New Democrats are fighting for.\u201d<\/p>\n
But that vision is now under threat\u2014from politicians at home and pressure from abroad.<\/p>\n
Donald Trump has made it clear he wants to make more money off the backs of sick Canadians\u2014calling our lower drug prices \u201cunfair\u201d and threatening to use trade deals to boost profits for American pharmaceutical giants. When access to life-saving medication can be used as leverage in a trade dispute, it\u2019s not just economic pressure\u2014it\u2019s a national security risk. Canada has a responsibility to act.<\/p>\n
With just 25 New Democrat MPs, we forced the government to take the first real steps toward universal pharmacare. Free coverage for diabetes medication and contraception is finally within reach\u2014but that hard-won progress is now at risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made them move when no one else would,\u201d said Singh. \u201cBut now Carney\u2019s Liberals are ready to cave, Poilievre\u2019s Conservatives are flat-out opposed, and Big Pharma is doing everything it can to shut this down. If we don\u2019t keep pushing, it stops here.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the last round of trade negotiations, Donald Trump tried to weaken Canada\u2019s access to affordable generic medications, all to make more money for big American pharmaceutical companies. Singh also said that expanding public pharmacare gives Canada\u2019s healthcare system leverage to resist Donald Trump in his illegal trade war.<\/p>\n
The NDP is committed to delivering full public pharmacare within four years\u2014starting with essential medicines: around 100 of the most prescribed medications covering about half of all prescriptions in Canada. With more New Democrats pushing for action, we can use Canada\u2019s collective power to lower prices, secure supply, and make sure no one is left behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cUniversal health care is something Canadians built together,\u201d said Singh. \u201cBut it\u2019s not complete until it includes the medication people need. This is our chance to finish the job\u2014and protect what makes us proud to be Canadian.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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