Friends of Medicare calling on federal government to keep its promise on pharmacare

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on September 5, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Friends of Medicare, alongside neighbouring Health Coalitions, is putting out the call for the federal Liberals to secure the future of pharmacare.

Pointing out that during the spring election campaign, the Liberals promised continued action on implementing pharmacare, FoM is concerned to see a lack of action and no new agreements signed with provincial or territorial governments.

“As Canadians’ anxiety grows over the rising cost of living – including what new tariffs mean for their jobs, health benefits, drug costs and pocketbooks – the federal government is creating uncertainty about whether it intends to fulfil their promise to deliver much-needed relief when it comes to bringing down drug costs via a national public drug plan,” said the coalitions.

The joint statement was issued to press on behalf of numerous health-care coalitions across the country, hoping to draw attention to the issue and remind Liberal MPs of their promises as they prepare for their pre-session retreat in Edmonton next week.

“National pharmacare legislation is now law, the framework exists and four jurisdictions have signed agreements to implement it,” said the coalitions. “The Liberal government should be working to ensure all Canadians, in every province and territory, have equal access to contraceptives and the lifesaving diabetes medications and devices they need.”

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