Approximately one in ten Canadians can't fill prescriptions because of the expense. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has also found that Canada has the second highest per capita spending on prescription drugs in the OECD. This is because we do not have a national standard for drug coverage or purchasing in Canada. Having fragmented health-care systems results in Canadians with life-threatening illnesses being confronted with costs that can vary wildly from province to province.

By implementing a national pharmacare program  we will be able to see savings of $11.4 billion a year from decreased drugs costs and reduced administration fees (from a study commissioned by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions). This program would also improve access to an array of prescription drugs for all Canadians.

I am asking for people to sign this petition to ask the leaders of the three primary national parties and the Minister of Health Canada to implement a national pharmacare program in order help all Canadians, as it makes fiscal and moral sense.