FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2018
MEDIA ALERT
Canadians need a National Pharmacare Plan
Today, the Canadian Labour Congress, Friends of Medicare, the Congress of Union retirees of Canada, and the Calgary and District Labour Council are holding a Pharmacare town hall, to discuss how we can win a national prescription drug plan.
“A National Pharmacare plan is an important component that’s missing in the medicare framework. About 1/5 of Canadian do not have workplace prescription drug coverage. That’s millions of Canadians that do not have drugs they need and that can cause medical complications,” said Sandra Azocar, Executive Director Friends of Medicare
“Right now, we have a patchwork system where coverage is inconsistent between provinces, and the Federal government. A National Pharmacare program would level that playing field and all Canadians could access needed drugs, “said Heather Erlen, Alberta representative, Canadian Labour Congress.
“Canadians should not have to choose between rent and needed prescriptions.
In New Zealand Lipitor (a cholesterol busting drug) costs $15 a year in Canada it can cost $811. That’s paid out of pocket, through your workplace insurance plans or you don’t get that drug. Lowering the cost of needed means Canadians don’t need to choose between rent and their prescriptions,” stated Collin Anderson, President Congress of Union Retirees of Canada, Calgary.
“A Pharmacare program would also help Canada attract business, it would substantially decrease a business cost. Prescription drugs have been one of the drivers of inflation within health care and there are projections that a Pharamacare program would save $11 Billion. Medicare is a factor that attracts business to Canada and improving it makes sense,” said Alexander Shevalier, President Calgary and District Labour Council.
Event: Pharmacare Town Hall
Location: Scandanavian Centre 739 20th Ave NW
Date: May 1, 2018
Time: 6:30-8:30PM
-30-
Contact: Alexander Shevalier, President, Calgary & District Labour Council
403 819 4159
The Calgary & District Labour Council represents 44,000 affiliated union members in both the public and private sector. Our members make Calgary work.