Cost of Living

What could Canadians pay for pharmacare — and what are we already paying?

A look at the numbers and potential ideas for what a pharmacare program could look like for Canadians — and what it could cost.

After talking about pharmacare for over 50 years, is it time to bring universal drug coverage to Canada?

A Toronto pharmacist is pictured in this file photo. (Mike Smee/CBC News)

Providing prescription drug coverage to every Canadian could be the signature issue of our new minority government. 

Pharmacare is what some have estimated as a $15 billion idea. It could blow up existing drug supply systems, many of which are considered acceptable by people with existing drug coverage.

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Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has said implementing pharmacare is a top priority, and the federal Liberals could need his party to hold onto power in Ottawa. 

Our producer Tracy Johnson waded into the waters of pharmacare to help explain what could be the biggest revolution to Canadian healthcare in decades.