Health Minister Mum on Cost of Pharmacare Legislation Covering Contraception and Diabetes Meds

Health Minister Mark Hollad has introduced the federal government’s pharmacare legislation that will cover contraception and some diabetes medications, but would not provide details of the potential costs of such a program. “I’m going to get back to you on that,” Mr. Holland said when asked by reporters about the potential costs during a press conference on Feb. 29. “Obviously I’ve had conversations with the finance minister, but one of the things I want to be careful of is that there are still ongoing pieces with provinces where that’s moving.” Bill C-64, dubbed “An Act respecting pharmacare,” is the first phase of national universal pharmacare in Canada. If Parliament passes the legislation, Ottawa will begin negotiating with the provinces and territories to provide coverage for numerous contraception and diabetes medications....