Item - 2015.HL8.2
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on December 9, 2015 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Board of Health on November 30, 2015 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on December 9, 2015.
HL8.2 - Pharmacare - Improving Access to Prescription Medications
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
City Council Decision
City Council on December 9 and 10, 2015, adopted the following:
1. City Council urge the Government of Canada to work in collaboration with the Provinces to develop and implement a national, universal pharmacare program.
2. City Council support the action of the Board of Health in forwarding the report (November 10, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to Public Health Ontario, to all boards of health in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Finance, the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Urban Public Health Network, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Federal Ministers of Finance, Health, the Chief Public Health Officer, Leader of the Opposition, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
Background Information (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-85830.pdf
Communications (Board)
(November 30, 2015) Submission from Dr. Joel Lexchin on The Future of Drug Coverage in Canada (HL.New.HL8.2.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/comm/communicationfile-57530.pdf
Motions (City Council)
Vote (Adopt Item) Dec-09-2015 7:44 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - HL8.2 - Adopt the item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 34 | Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Jon Burnside, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday |
| Total members that were Absent: 10 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, John Campbell, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Rob Ford, Mark Grimes, Giorgio Mammoliti, Pam McConnell, David Shiner |
HL8.2 - Pharmacare - Improving Access to Prescription Medications
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
Board Recommendations
The Board of Health recommends that:
1. City Council urge the Government of Canada to work in collaboration with the provinces to develop and implement a national, universal pharmacare program.
2. City Council support the action of the Board of Health in forwarding the report (November 10, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to Public Health Ontario, all boards of health in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Finance, the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Urban Public Health Network, the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Ministers of Finance, Health, the Chief Public Health Officer, Leader of the Opposition, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Board of Health:
1. Urged the Government of Canada to work in collaboration with the provinces to develop and implement a national, universal pharmacare program; and
2. Forwarded the report (November 10, 2015) from the Medical Officer of Health to Public Health Ontario, all boards of health in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Finance, the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Urban Public Health Network, the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Ministers of Finance, Health, the Chief Public Health Officer, the Leader of the Opposition, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
Origin
Summary
There is a long history in Canada of providing comprehensive and accessible health care through Medicare, Canada's national health insurance program. However, prescription medications, often necessary to maintain or improve health, are not included under Medicare. Pharmacare is a proposed public drug insurance plan that is part of a national pharmaceutical policy. Canada has different drug plans, both public and private, that vary by province. Through this patchwork system, 24 percent of Canadians have no drug coverage and 8 percent of Canadians did not use prescription drugs as prescribed in the past 12 months because of cost (e.g., not filling a prescription or skipping doses to make a prescription last longer).
People who are precariously employed and/or work in low paying jobs have limited access to prescription medications for themselves and their families. Promoting fair and equitable access to prescription medications can contribute to reducing the unequal burden of illness that low income people experience.
It is recommended that the Board of Health urge the Government of Canada to take the necessary steps to develop and implement a national, universal pharmacare program.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-85830.pdf
Communications
(November 30, 2015) Submission from Dr. Joel Lexchin on The Future of Drug Coverage in Canada (HL.New.HL8.2.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/hl/comm/communicationfile-57530.pdf
Speakers
Dr. Joel Lexchin, Professor, School of Health Policy and Management, York University
Sean Meagher
Karen Buck
Motions
That:
1. City Council urge the Government of Canada to work in collaboration with the provinces to develop and implement a national, universal pharmacare program.
2. City Council support the action of the Board of Health in forwarding this report to Public Health Ontario, all boards of health in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Finance, the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Urban Public Health Network, the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Ministers of Finance, Health, the Chief Public Health Officer, Leader of the Opposition and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
That the report be forwarded to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists.