Government must support access to medicine, not big pharma: Singh
This week’s round-up of who is saying on public health care include criticisms of big pharma’s influence, retention bonuses for Nova Scotia nurses and other health care workers, and unequal health care coverage in British Columbia.
Liberal budget expected to focus on dental care expansion, but pharmacare still on the shelf
“If people really want to see a difference on pharmacare, (Canadians) are going to have to vote New Democrat. I don’t think the Liberals are going to do that final step… It might start with some medication and expand, but we want to take real steps that make people’s lives better now… I think the Liberals have shown clearly that they’re more interested in supporting the pharmaceutical lobby than they are supporting Canadians that can’t afford their medication,” Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, told The Globe and Mail, March 21, 2023
Former PMPRB member says resignations the result of ministerial behaviour with big pharma
“The internal strain and division within the (Patented Medicines Prices Review Board) itself was a direct result of the minister’s request, which followed on the heels of the industry’s request to stop consulting… This is the only minister of health to be appointed under the Liberal government who has not had a briefing on proposed changes to our guidelines. To make such a request, after having no back and forth, after hearing from industry that they would make the exact same request, it starts to feel like this is the product of very powerful interests pushing the minister for this outcome,” said Matthew Herder, director of the Health Law Institute at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, The Globe and Mail, March 21, 2023
Retention bonuses for nurses and other health care workers in Nova Scotia
“I believe this goes a long way to show the appreciation to the health-care workers, not just our nurses,” said Mullen. “We represent 18,000 folks who work in health care here in Nova Scotia including some nurses,” said Sandra Mullen, president, Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, CBC News, March 20, 2023
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Health care debated in PEI election campaign
“We can’t have (privatization) being done with taxpayer, public money. We need to ensure that those public funds stay in our public system, that they go directly to the front lines for our nurses, our doctors, our PCWs and RCWs… all of those people who work as a team to ensure that all Islanders receive the care they need,” said PEI NDP Leader Michelle Neill, CBC News, March 20, 2023
Team-based health care promoted in Saskatchewan
“Financial inducement alone won’t be enough to retain doctors… We need to change the model. If you live in a little town and … there is some urgent medical matter, people know where you live, they have your phone number, and they’ll get in touch with you. It is important that doctors get time off and it’s very difficult for them to do that in rural communities if they’re the only contact for care for everybody 365 days a year,” said Dr. Dennis Kendel, health policy consultant and former CEO of the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons, CBC News, March 19, 2023
In BC health care, not everyone is treated equally
“The wait-coverage period is a huge barrier for newcomers. People often have been struggling for a long time to get status in Canada, and finally they get status and then end up without an MSP (Medical Services Plan) number. That leads to people being afraid to contact or access health-care providers, avoiding seeking coverage until their conditions have worsened to the point where they’re ending up in our emergency rooms. (B.C.’s three-month wait period) in a way is a privatization of the system, forcing people to get private insurance during this time. It definitely undermines universality,” said Omar Chu of Sanctuary Health, a grassroots collective that advocates for access to services based on need, not on immigration status, The Vancouver Sun, March 14, 2023
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