National Coalition Keeps Up Pressure to Fix Broken System

Time to End Employment Lottery Approach to Accessing Right Medications

OTTAWA, May 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians for Equitable Access to Depression Medications (CEADM) are urging Canadians from coast to coast to coast to add their voices to a long list of mental health advocates who support making depression medications accessible to ALL Canadians.

Right now, new depression medications are only available to those on private health plans.

Mental wellness should be available to all (CNW Group/Canadians for Equitable Access to Depression Medication)

Galvanized by last week's announcement by Minister of Health Jane Philpott, who signaled the federal government's intentions to consider a common national formulary that reflects patient-centred care, CEADM's supporters are taking to social media to keep their issue at the forefront. CEADM members are urging others to contact their MPPs, MLAs and the federal Minister of Health to ask them to fix a broken system.

The online and email blitz began in earnest this morning. CEADM is asking its supporters to keep up the pressure throughout the day.

"Millions of Canadians are being left out of a system that is inequitable and unfair. These people are some of our most vulnerable — single parents, unemployed, seniors, veterans, Indigenous peoples, homeless. We are standing up for them, and asking that the system that decides which medications are covered under public health plans be fixed once and for all," says Phil Upshall, a member of CEADM's National Leadership Team and National Executive Director of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada.

"Until Canadians can access the medications that will enable them to become well and productive members of society, the hardest hit and those without a private benefit plan will continue to be left out in the cold," he adds.

CEADM plans to keep up the pressure until the federal government addresses this important equity issue.

SOURCE Canadians for Equitable Access to Depression Medication

For further information: Joan Weinman, 613-294-5679

Organization Profile

Canadians for Equitable Access to Depression Medication