The federal government’s pharmacare bill is headed to the Senate after passing third reading in the House of Commons.
The bill was the result of careful and lengthy negotiations between the Liberals and the New Democratic Party as a key element of their political pact to prevent an early election.
Read: Liberals table bill paving way for future pharmacare program a day before deadline
The legislation would see the federal government offer first-payer coverage of some contraceptive and diabetes medications, and sets the stage for a future full-fledged universal pharmacare program. It’s not yet clear exactly what drugs will be covered, since they’ll be the subject of negotiations with provincial and territorial governments.
Once the bill is passed, Health Minister Mark Holland can begin formal negotiations with provinces and territories to deliver the program, which is expected to cost $1.5 billion over five years. The goal is that Canadians will be able to access the contraceptive or diabetes drugs or supplies by showing their health card, whether they have private insurance coverage or not.
Read: Coverage for high-cost, specialty drugs missing from rollout of feds’ pharmacare plan: experts