Canadian Pharmacists Association Launches "Pharmacare 2.0"

OTTAWA, June 22, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) today launched Pharmacare 2.0 - a comprehensive multi-phased consultation to develop a national consensus for a pan-Canadian pharmacare framework.

Renewed national discussion on a pan-Canadian pharmacare framework requires clear evidence for policymakers and a clear national consensus on priorities important to Canadians. CPhA, as the national voice of Canadian pharmacists, is committed to gathering this evidence and building consensus.

"Pharmacists are on the front lines when it comes to access to affordable medication," said Carlo Berardi, Chair, Canadian Pharmacists Association. "We understand the issue of pharmacare both in theory and in practice. With Pharmacare 2.0, Canada's 39,000 pharmacists will use their unique knowledge to ensure that all Canadians have access to pharmacy services and appropriate drug therapies."

Pharmacare 2.0 is a four-stage policy development process designed to build a Canadian consensus and reboot the pharmacare conversation. Beginning immediately, CPhA will undertake consultation with key stakeholders to develop principles, policies and priorities for national pharmacare, leveraging pharmacists' first-hand knowledge of existing barriers to appropriate drug therapies.

These findings will inform CPhA's advocacy efforts throughout the federal election campaign, and help launch the creation of a Health Care Consensus Working Group with partners in the broader health care community. The Working Group will unveil its model for national pharmacare in 2016 with the publication of the Pharmacare 2.0 White Paper.

"It's time to change the pharmacare narrative; governments' current approach to improving affordability and access to drugs through a singular preoccupation on reducing drug prices does not address the key concerns of Canadians—improving health outcomes and the long- term sustainability of public drug plans," said Perry Eisenschmid, CEO, Canadian Pharmacists Association. "The focus of CPhA's pharmacare initiative is building a sustainable health care system by providing optimal patient-centred care at an affordable price."

CPhA believes that all Canadians should be able to access medically necessary medications, regardless of income. Any future pharmacare policy must address four key priorities:

• Addressing gaps between private and public systems
• Protecting Canadians from undue financial hardship
• Protecting patient access to a stable supply of clinically and cost-effective drugs
• Providing access to the full range of pharmacy services to achieve better health, better care and better value.

Fundamental to CPhA's position is that a national pharmacare policy must address the key issue of comparable levels of access to pharmacy services across the country. Evidence clearly shows that optimal drug therapy can only be achieved when Canadians have access to the full range of services that pharmacists provide.

About the Canadian Pharmacists Association

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Pharmacists Association

Image with caption: "Canadian Pharmacists Association (CNW Group/Canadian Pharmacists Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150622_C9727_PHOTO_EN_43629.jpg

Mark McCondach, Director of Communications Canadian Pharmacists Association [email protected]a [phone] Ext. 285