The NDP says it has reached a deal with the Liberal government to introduce the first piece of a national pharmacare program that includes coverage for birth control and diabetes medication.
The deal is a critical piece of the supply-and-confidence agreement between the two parties and comes ahead of a March 1 deadline to table legislation, first reported by The Canadian Press on Friday.
An NDP source speaking on background to Global News confirmed the deal had been reached and that it “satisfies our end” of the supply-and-confidence pact.
Some final details may still be worked out over the weekend, but the source said the NDP expects the legislation will be tabled by the March 1 deadline.
The deal includes full coverage for contraceptives close to what British Columbia covers, which includes birth control pills, IUDs and emergency contraception.
It also includes insulin for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as additional diabetes drugs. The focus is on covering generics where there is an option to do so, the NDP source said. Ozempic will not be covered under the agreement.
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The deal also puts forward a fund to help provinces cover the cost of insulin pumps for diabetes patients, which the NDP wanted maximum coverage for, the source said.
Global News has reached out to Health Minister Mark Holland’s office for comment. The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet commented.
The first deadline to reach a deal was pushed back in December, with both parties agreeing to extend it to March 1.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh had suggested failing to meet the March 1 deadline would result in “consequences” for the Liberals, but stopped short of saying his party would withdraw its support under the supply-and-confidence agreement.
More to come…
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