CPhA provides key principles and priorities for a national discussion on pan-Canadian Pharmacare
OTTAWA, Sept. 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's pharmacists believe it's time for a national discussion on pan-Canadian pharmacare that reflects the views and values of Canadians. Today, the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) released its Pharmacare 2.0: Principles and Priorities Discussion Paper, which provides a framework for such discussions with the goal of reaching a Canadian consensus on an achievable and sustainable pan-Canadian drug plan.
Canadians deserve access to medically-necessary medications and pharmacist services, regardless of income or postal code. This defining value is shared by both Canadians and their pharmacists. However, both also believe the solution lies in evolution, not revolution, for our current drug plans.
Released as part of its Pharmacare 2.0 initiative, the CPhA's discussion paper presents three key principles for a pan-Canadian pharmacare framework:
These three key principles, along with nine specific priorities, provide the building blocks for a comprehensive pan-Canadian framework to improve the health of Canadians that is attainable for both governments and policy-makers.
Chief among the priorities: no Canadian should be left behind when it comes to access to prescription drugs. A pan-Canadian pharmacare framework should prioritize coverage for our most vulnerable -- those Canadians who are not currently nor adequately covered by an existing public or private plan.
"Canadians and their pharmacists want workable solutions that provide for better health outcome care and better value for the health care dollar," said Carlo Berardi, Chair, Canadian Pharmacists Association.
"It is clear that Canadians want us to focus on developing an achievable framework that is affordable, effective and efficient.
"It can't just be about access to drugs, it must also be about access to effective drug therapy. Therefore, Canadians must also have access to the full range of pharmacist services to ensure safety and high quality of care," he added.
CPhA launched its Pharamcare 2.0 initiative in June 2015 to reboot the pharmacare conversation from ideology to a focus on optimal patient-centred care at an affordable price.
Findings from the discussion paper will help CPhA launch a Health Care Consensus initiative and culminate with the Working Group unveiling its model for pan-Canadian pharmacare in 2016 with the publication of the Pharmacare 2.0 White Paper.
Related Links/More info
Pharmacare 2.0: Principles and Priorities Discussion Paper
The discussion paper captures the views of Canadians and the pharmacy community through surveys and direct engagement and consultations with pharmacist and pharmacy organizations, individual pharmacists and a national poll of 2,000 Canadians. Cross-country Pharmacare 2.0 forums with pharmacists are also taking place to further inform the discussion paper.
About the Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.
SOURCE Canadian Pharmacists Association
Image with caption: "Canadian Pharmacists Association (CNW Group/Canadian Pharmacists Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150914_C6806_PHOTO_EN_495890.jpg
Mark McCondach, Director of Communications, Canadian Pharmacists Association, [email protected], (613) 523-7877 Ext. 285
Also from this source
Share this article