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. 2012 Aug;8(1):14-23.

Canadian pharmacare: looking back, looking forward

Steven G Morgan  1 , Jamie R Daw
Affiliations

Canadian pharmacare: looking back, looking forward

Steven G Morgan et al. Healthc Policy. 2012 Aug.

Abstract
in English, French

Despite Canadians' pride in medicare and the values underpinning it, the system is conspicuously incomplete. Universal public health insurance in Canada ends as soon as a patient is handed a prescription to fill; yet prescription drugs are the second largest component of health system costs. We look back at key moments in Canadian healthcare history that shaped our pharmacare system - or lack thereof. We look forward to changes in demography and technology that will increase the need for pharmacare reform in the near future. We conclude that meaningful public engagement in pharmacare design may generate the clarity of goals and level of political support needed should windows of policy opportunity open again.

Malgré la fierté des Canadiens face à l'assurance médicaments et aux valeurs qui la soustendent, le système est manifestement incomplet. L'assurance santé publique universelle au Canada prend fin dès lors qu'un patient reçoit une ordonnance, et ce, même si les médicaments sur ordonnance constituent le deuxième plus grand volet des coûts du système de santé. Nous jetons un coup d'œil sur les grands moments de l'histoire des soins de santé au Canada, qui ont donné forme à l'assurance médicaments – ou à ses lacunes. Nous considérons les changements démographiques et technologiques qui accentueront rapidement la nécessité d'une réforme de l'assurance médicaments. Nous en concluons qu'un engagement public significatif dans la conception de l'assurance médicaments pourrait aider à clarifier les objectifs et le soutien politique nécessaire, dans la mesure où une conjoncture politique favorable se présente de nouveau.

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References

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