N.L. has not joined federal program that would make diabetes medication and contraceptives free

Newfoundland and Labrador has not joined a federal program that could provide the province millions of dollars to make diabetes medication and contraceptives free for all residents. 

The universal Pharmacare Act was passed by the Trudeau Liberals last year, and received royal assent on Oct. 10, 2024. 

But only British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon have joined the program. 

Pharmacare advocate and member of the Avalon chapter of the Council of Canadians, Yvonne Earle, said joining the plan would mean every resident of the province would just need their MCP to access diabetes medication and birth control. 

"If everybody can receive their medications and keep themselves healthy, we'll be making a significant step forward for our health-care program," said Earle. 

A recent report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives estimated that the province would receive over $84 million in funding if it signed on.

Still no word

Last May, Health Minister Krista Lynn Howell said she looked forward to conversations with Ottawa about pharmacare, adding that Newfoundland and Labrador won't be left behind. 

And when St. John's East MP Joanne Thompson joined cabinet under Justin Trudeau, she said she wanted to protect pharmacare. 

The Council of Canadians sent letters to the government this year lobbying for a pharmacare agreement to be signed in Newfoundland and Labrador, said Earle. But they've only been told that discussions were on hold until after the federal election, she said.

"Well, it's now been four months since the federal election and we're still not hearing anything," said Earle. 

Just last week, Earle said they sent a letter asking the provincial opposition to raise the question to the Liberal government as the provincial election nears. 

In an emailed statement, Department of Health media relations manager Jennifer Konieczny said they have engaged with the federal government regarding pharmacare coverage, and said that discussions were on hold due to the federal election. 

"We look forward to once again working with our Health Canada counterparts to improve access for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians when they are ready to resume discussion," wrote Konieczny. 

The Canadian Press reported on July 24 that Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel is not committing to sign pharmacare funding deals with all the provinces and territories.

Earle said the government is procrastinating. 

"If we want it for Newfoundlanders, then our government has to go after it proactively," she said.

She said she is very concerned about the federal government's non-commitment, adding that Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously committed to protect pharmacare during his election campaign. 

"One of the things that Canadians pride themselves on is their health-care system … [and] our health-care system now is under considerable strain," said Earle. "And one of the ways we can improve it is getting pharmacare for all Canadians."

Diabetes medication access varied in N.L. 

Diabetes Canada has been advocating for a pharmacare plan that involves the provinces and territories working together, said Laura O'Driscoll, the organization's senior manager of policy. 

That would mean improving support for the 93,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have Type 1, Type 2 diagnosed and Type 2 undiagnosed diabetes — or 18 per cent of the population, O'Driscoll said. 

Many different types of medications and devices are used to treat and monitor diabetes, but O'Driscoll said access in the province is varied. 

It depends on access to private insurance or if you're covered under the province's prescription drug program for low income individuals, she said. And people with diabetes can pay anywhere from $400 to $10,000 a year on medications. 

O'Driscoll said they have heard from patients who have not been able to afford their prescriptions.

For now, she said, they're continuing talks with the government. 

"We urge … the federal government and provincial and territorial partners to continue to have conversations about reducing the out of pocket costs for people living with diabetes," said O'Driscoll. 

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