Health Minister Mark Holland speaks in the House of Commons foyer on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, June 3, 2024. Holland said he hopes Canadians will have access to contraceptives and diabetes medications through the Federal Drug Benefits System by April 1 next year. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby
OTTAWA — Health Minister Mark Holland says he wants to launch the National Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme by April 1, 2025.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Bill, drafted by the Liberal Party and New Democrats, has passed the House of Representatives but still needs to be debated in the Senate.
The idea is to make contraceptives and diabetes medications available to anyone with a health insurance card as part of a universal health insurance system.
The Liberal Party has budgeted $1.5 billion over five years for the program.
If the bill receives royal assent, the Netherlands can begin negotiations with provinces and territories to administer the program.
But he says he won't wait until then to begin discussions with state and territory counterparts about what that agreement might look like.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2024.
Laura Osman, The Canadian Press
