OTTAWA, Sept. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) welcomes today's announcement by the NDP to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for Canadians. We're encouraged that prescription drug access is being raised during this election campaign. However, a sustainable and affordable pan-Canadian drug plan cannot be achieved through addressing drug prices alone, we must also look at enhanced utilization and drug therapy and this is where pharmacists can and must play a key role.
During this election campaign, CPhA has been a leading voice in calling upon all political parties to address the issue of gaps in drug coverage in their policy platforms. It is clear that Canadians want a pan-Canadian pharmacare framework that is affordable, effective and efficient that prioritizes coverage for our most vulnerable – those Canadians who are not currently nor adequately covered by an existing public or private plan.
"Canada's 39,000 pharmacists are on the front lines when it comes to the issue; they understand pharmacare in practice, not just in theory," said Carlo Berardi, Chair, Canadian Pharmacists Association. "We know that when it comes to pharmacare it can't just be about access to drugs and reducing costs. It must also be about access to the full range of pharmacist services to ensure safety and high quality of care."
As part of its Pharmacare 2.0 initiative launched in June 2015, this week CPhA released its Pharmacare 2.0: Principles and Priorities Discussion Paper, which presents three key principles for a pan-Canadian pharmacare framework:
CPhA acknowledges the Green Party of Canada's pharmacare commitment and looks forward to hearing where the other parties stand on this important issue.
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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
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Mark McCondach, Director of Communications, Canadian Pharmacists Association, [email protected], (613) 523-7877 Ext. 285
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