The head of a federal advisory council, on how to implement a national pharmacare program, says a ”blueprint” with full details on the model and pricing will be ready next spring.

 

(Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Eric Hoskins, the former Ontario health minister, made the remarks after meeting this morning with eight of the premiers and territorial leaders in New Brunswick – on the same day the advisory council launched wider public consultations online.

Doug Ford was not on hand but Hoskins did meet with current Ontario health minister Christine Elliott only last week.

Hoskins says the big question provinces have about a national pharmacare program is the price tag and cost-sharing arrangement, both of which are still being worked out. 

He points out billions are wasted each year given all the different drug plans out there, adding a federal scheme would see lower costs through efficiencies like bulk purchasing.

Canada currently spends the most per-capita on prescriptions after Switzerland and the U.S.

Prescription drugs cost Canadians nearly $30-billion-a-year with all but about $4-billion covered by public or private plans.