Groups sign open letter urging New Brunswick to sign pharmacare deal

A New Brunswick group is asking the provincial government to sign a national pharmacare deal.

A group of 44 diverse organizations from around New Brunswick has signed an open letter to the provincial government urging it to negotiate a pharmacare agreement with Ottawa as quickly as possible.

The letter was sent on behalf of the New Brunswick Health Coalition.

“We wanted to have a sense, is there support for it? And that’s why the letter,” said co-chair Jean-Claude Basque. “It’s 44 organizations that represent I would say 50,000 people in New Brunswick that say, yes we need to sign this deal.”

The federal government introduced the national pharmacare program in 2024 with the goal of improving accessibility, affordability and the universal coverage of everyday medications.

British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon have signed deals with Ottawa so far.

The first phase of the Pharmacare Act is to provide universal, single-payer access to a wide range of diabetes medications and contraception.

“We really believe that New Brunswick should sign for the whole deal, diabetes and contraception,” said Basque.

The 44 organizations represent artists, cultural societies, seniors, people with disabilities, those living in poverty, private and public-sector workers and activists engaged in social issues, among others.

‘Just sign the deal’

In a statement released this week, New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon said the national pharmacare program would allow more New Brunswickers to access life-saving drugs, and he questions why the Holt government has yet to sign onto it.

“For the life of me I can’t understand it,” said Coon. “This is about Canadians. New Brunswickers are Canadians and we should benefit from the Canadian national pharmacare system. It defies explanation honestly as to why this government is reluctant to sign the first agreement to cover at least diabetes drugs and supplies and contraceptives.”

Coon congratulated the 44 organizations that banded together to have their voices heard.

“We’re Canadians and we should be part of the Canadian pharmacare system. It’s a national system to ensure people have the drugs that they need when they need them without cost,” said Coon. “Let’s just sign the deal like other provinces have.”

Peter Ford is the owner of Ford’s Pharmacy and Wellness in Moncton.

“I think it would be really good for people and for society here in New Brunswick to have a drug plan that’s national in scope,” said Ford.

Ford said, for a lot of individuals, the cost of diabetic supplies and drugs are exceedingly expensive.

“Things have gone up considerably. When I was a young pharmacist 40 years ago insulin was $8 a vial. It’s like $85 a vial now for the same amount,” said Ford. “I don’t know how some of them can afford it without a drug plan.”

Basque said on Friday that he received an email from Health Minister John Dornan.

“He hears us, so that’s positive,” said Basque, who added he hopes the letter shows there’s real support for universal pharmacare.

In a statement to CTV News, Health Minister John Dornan said the province has always been committed to signing a pharmacare agreement.

“The voices calling for progress on this issue are clear and compelling,” said Dornan. “We remain dedicated to working toward a pharmacare solution that reflects the needs of our province and builds on the strengths of our existing system.”

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