Canada Enacts Pharmacare Bill for Diabetes and Birth Control Coverage

The new law paves the way for federal-provincial agreements to provide universal access to essential medications.

The pharmacare bill, central to a former Liberal-NDP agreement, has received royal assent and is now law.
This legislation enables the federal government to negotiate with provinces and territories for coverage of diabetes and birth-control medications.
British Columbia has already signed an agreement with Ottawa, with hopes for nationwide participation by next spring.
An expert panel will be convened within 30 days to recommend strategies for a comprehensive national pharmacare program.
The initiative aims to improve health equity and affordability, providing free access to medications for millions of Canadians.