The Canadian government has announced the launch of a national pharmacare program, which aims to improve access and affordability of prescription drugs for millions of Canadians. However, the program has also sparked controversy and criticism, as it includes coverage of contraception, which some groups consider immoral and anti-life. The program, which is a result of a coalition deal between the Liberals and the NDP, promises to provide free contraceptives for nine million Canadians, along with other medications, such as insulin and antibiotics. The program’s proponents say that it will reduce health-care costs and improve health outcomes, especially for women and low-income families. The program’s opponents, however, say that it will promote a culture of death and undermine the dignity and value of human life.
The Rationale and Benefits of the Pharmacare Program
The pharmacare program, which is outlined in Bill C-64, is a long-awaited and ambitious initiative, which aims to create a universal and comprehensive drug coverage system for all Canadians. The program is based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, which was appointed by the government in 2018. The program’s main objectives are to:
- Ensure that all Canadians have access to the prescription drugs they need, regardless of their income, location, or health status.
- Reduce the financial burden and stress of paying for prescription drugs, especially for those who have no or inadequate insurance coverage.
- Improve the quality and efficiency of the health-care system, by reducing duplication, waste, and inequity in drug spending and delivery.
- Enhance the health and well-being of Canadians, by preventing and treating diseases, improving health outcomes, and saving lives.
The program’s supporters say that it will bring Canada in line with other developed countries, such as the UK, Australia, and France, which already have national pharmacare systems. They also say that it will save the government and the public billions of dollars in health-care costs, as it will allow for bulk purchasing, price negotiation, and better management of drug use. They also say that it will improve public health, especially for women, who often face barriers and discrimination in accessing contraceptives and reproductive health services.
The Criticism and Concerns of the Pharmacare Program
The pharmacare program, however, has also faced opposition and backlash, as it includes coverage of contraception, which some groups regard as immoral and harmful. The program’s critics say that contraception, which refers to any method or device that prevents conception or pregnancy, is contrary to the natural law and the moral law, as it violates the purpose and meaning of human sexuality and procreation. They also say that contraception is detrimental to human health, as it can cause physical and psychological side effects, such as blood clots, depression, and infertility. They also say that contraception is harmful to society, as it fosters a mentality of selfishness, hedonism, and irresponsibility, which leads to abortion, divorce, and family breakdown.
The program’s opponents include various religious and pro-life organizations, such as the Campaign Life Coalition, the Catholic Register, and the BC Catholic. They say that the program is a violation of their conscience and religious freedom, as it forces them to pay for and support something that they consider evil and sinful. They also say that the program is a waste of public money and resources, as it subsidizes something that is not essential or beneficial, but rather destructive and wasteful. They also say that the program is a sign of the anti-life and anti-family culture that pervades the country, which undermines the dignity and value of human life.
The Future and Fate of the Pharmacare Program
The pharmacare program, which is expected to cost $15.3 billion annually, is still in its early stages, and faces many challenges and uncertainties. The program, which requires the approval of Parliament and the cooperation of the provinces and territories, has not yet secured the support and consent of all the stakeholders and partners involved. The program, which is scheduled to start in July 2024, has not yet determined the details and specifics of its implementation and operation, such as the list of drugs covered, the eligibility criteria, and the delivery mechanism. The program, which is subject to political and economic changes and pressures, has not yet proven its feasibility and sustainability, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
The program’s proponents say that they are confident and optimistic that the program will succeed and benefit Canadians, as it is based on evidence and consultation, and reflects the needs and demands of the public. The program’s opponents, however, say that they are hopeful and determined that the program will fail and be rejected, as it is based on ideology and coercion, and contradicts the values and beliefs of many Canadians.