Pharmacare Program Money Left on the Table in Ottawa: Brown

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2025

NDP MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) questioned government on health care today in the House of Assembly, calling on government to stop sitting on their hands when it comes to signing on to the federal Pharmacare program.

Signing on to the Federal Pharmacare Program would bring millions of dollars to our province to help cover prescription costs and ensure people can afford the medications they need to stay healthy. Brown says that governments continued refusal to work with the federal government to get the province signed on is unacceptable.

“Signing on to the Federal Pharmacare Program would bring millions of dollars to our province to help cover costs for diabetes medications and devices for the 1 in 3 people in our province who are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes,” said Brown. “Meanwhile, this government continues to sit on the sidelines, leaving much-needed federal funding on the table.”

Brown asked the Minister, “Why is this government refusing to sign on to the national pharmacare program?”

He went on to talk about how provinces like B.C., Manitoba, and P.E.I have already signed on to the transformative program, and that Newfoundland and Labrador should be next.

“Research has shown that having free prescription medications reduces patient costs on the health care system - significantly reducing costs to the province’s budget,” Brown said. “I ask the Minister, will this government make a public commitment to negotiate the pharmacare funding agreement with the federal government?”

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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca  

NR 4142025 Pharmacare Program Money Left on the Table in Ottawa Brown.pdf

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