E24 — Dr. Jane Philpott

City and Nuuchimii

Canadian healthcare is often mistaken for a truly universal system. Even medical doctors will tell you that while it saves lives, our Medicare still only covers the basics — and universal, single-payer, public Canadian Pharmacare is desperately needed.

Today on the pod, Canada's former federal minister of health, the Honourable Dr. Jane Philpott⁠, joins us to expand on her recent op-ed for The Globe and Mail: 'Canada is failing to meet the moment on the cost of medication' .

Dr. Philpott also reflects on her time practicing medicine in the Global South, her time in Prime Minister Trudeau's original cabinet in Ottawa, and why she feels we need a "Tommy Douglas 2.0" to drive down the exorbitant costs of prescription medication.

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"Unless there is a concerted effort to apply pressure on the Federal and Provincial governments, the erosion of Medicare will continue unabated and might even be accelerated. Our best hope lies in the Canadian Health Coalition…for the preservation and extension of Medicare."
―Tommy Douglas, father of Canadian Medicare

"Canadians have considered the idea of universal drug coverage, as a complement to universal health care, for over five decades. For such a long-standing debate there is a surprising level of consensus. After hearing from many thousands of Canadians, we found a strongly held, shared belief that everyone in Canada should have access to prescription drugs based on their need and not their ability to pay, and delivered in a manner that is fair and sustainable. That’s why our council has recommended that Canada implement universal, single-payer, public pharmacare."
—2019 Final Report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, chaired by Dr. Eric Hoskins

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