Members of the Inverness Co. chapter of the Council of Canadians say universal pharmacare would be a huge asset for officials with federal government to adopt.
A pharmacare presentation, including a discussion with Dr. Monika Dutt, a We’koqma’q family doctor, is being held at the Inverness Fire Hall at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Spokesperson Anne Levesque says we’re the only country that doesn’t have prescription drugs covered, and a lot of people suffer as a result.
She says drug prices have increased in recent years, and new polls suggest 91 per cent of people in the country support a universal plan.
Levesque tells The Hawk they want the conversation on the topic to continue and grow.
“We’re hoping to convince government- and the Liberals have been talking about this- that pharmacare is a win for everybody,” she says. “Also, we’re going to have a petition.”
Levesque says federal officials can negotiate when they purchase drugs in bulk, which would save residents and employers money.
She says Dutt will bring an important perspective.
“She’s very passionate about this,” she says. “She believes that pharmacare is easily achievable in Canada, and would help a lot of people (and) would reduce the misery of lot of people.”
Levesque says one-in-three people who make less than $50,000 annually have been unable to take medication due to the cost.
The Council of Canadians is a social and environmental justice organization.