National Pharmacare Committee of Experts calls on the federal government to expand pharmacare program

November 28, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Following the release of the final report of the National Pharmacare Committee of Experts, the committee is calling on the federal government to fully fund essential medicines for everyone living in Canada, going beyond bilateral agreements with provinces and territories.

“As a family doctor in Toronto, I provide care for people who cannot afford life-saving medicines. I see every day the impact that pharmacare could have on the health of people from all walks of life,” said committee chair Dr. Nav Persaud. “We cannot allow progress to be slowed by profit-makers when we know that, if done correctly, pharmacare is going to save countless lives and billions of dollars. This is the nation-building project our country’s leaders need to act on now.”

The committee released a blueprint of recommendations for the federal government to fully implement pharmacare, including:

• Building upon the Canada Health Act to quickly advance new legislation explicitly recognizing the right to essential medicines;
• Fully funding a list of essential medicines through existing processes, such as provincial and territorial health cards;
• Establishing an independent body that maintains the list of essential medicines to be publicly funded;
• Developing a national essential medicines strategy that ensures affordability and accessibility;
• Ensuring Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of a monitoring and evaluation plan, and decision-making around how savings will be reinvested into Indigenous health priorities.

Amy Lamb, committee member and the executive director of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada, highlighted the opportunity in Pharmacare legislation to co-create solutions with Indigenous Peoples, address gaps in health care and improve access in underserved regions.

“Investments in care and dispensing of medicines are particularly needed in remote communities, and a renewed system will make space for sovereign Indigenous health systems to develop and flourish. These same changes will strengthen culturally appropriate care for Indigenous Peoples and reduce factors of systemic racism in access to medicines,” Lamb said. “This is an opportunity to enhance clinical and professional standards based on best practices, evidence and the unique needs of Canadians.”

Linda Silas, committee member and president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, underscored the urgency of acting now to fully implement pharmacare.

“Canadians cannot afford to wait any longer for the promise of pharmacare. Too many are making the impossible choice between paying for essential medications and buying groceries. Prescription medications don’t have to continue to be a pressure point during an affordability crisis,” Silas said. “We have charted a clear and actionable path, and the first step is passing new legislation that builds upon the principles of the Canada Health Act to include essential medications. Now we need the political willingness to deliver this life-saving program.”

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The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing 250,000 frontline unionized nurses and nursing students in every sector of health care – from home care and LTC to community and acute care – and advocating on key priorities to strengthen public health care across the country.

For more information, please contact Adella Khan, media@nursesunions.ca, 613‑807‑2942.