Coalition calls for a
Universal Drug Program
FACT SHEET
Drug Plan - Seniors
New Brunswick has a seniors’ drug plan that is
designed for low income seniors who are receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement.
For low income seniors, the income threshold range
from $17,198 for singles to $32,390 for couples.
The co-payment amount per prescription is $9.05. The
out of pocket expenditure is $500 for single and $1000 for a couple.
The increase of 100% as of January 2012 has a negative
impact on seniors living in poverty and those that have multiple health issues.
There are 55,384 seniors receiving the guaranteed
incomes supplement in New Brunswick.
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Recommendations
·
Coalition recommends the province work with the federal government for
the implementation of a Universal Pharmacare Plan.
·
A public drug insurance plan should form an integral part of the
country’s Pharmaceutical policies.
·
The plan should tie together social programs designed to provide a
minimum of well-being for all Canadians.
·
The Economic Case for Universal Pharmacare” sets out two scenarios for reaching the
goal of savings of up to 10.7 billion a year:
·
Implementing universal Pharmacare and
moderate revision of industrial policies related to drug prices. The current
expenditure on prescription drugs are at 25.1 billion. The report states by having a universal pharmacare
plan it would be a net savings with Pharmacare of 4.48 billion.
·
Implementing universal Pharmacare with
elimination of industrial policies related to drug prices. Cost savings with a
universal Pharmacare plan: save on dispending fees, cost savings with rigorous
drug review and price negotiations (as in New Zealand).
·
Eliminate the monthly deductible and
the 15 year patent protection for drugs in Quebec and eliminate multiple
private-plans savings from cheaper administration and tax subsidies for these
plans.
·
The report
also states that many countries, including France, the UK, Sweden, Australia
and New Zealand have universal drug plans and as result, pay far less for drugs
than Canada.
·
Net
savings with Pharmacare of 10.7 billion
Reference:
The Economic Case for Universal Pharmacare, Costs and Benefits of
publicly funded drug coverage for all Canadians, CCPA,
