Canada's Nurses Say, 'It's a Great Week for Health Care,' Following NDP Announcement of Universal Public Prescription Drug Plan

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - September 18, 2015) - Canada's Nurses are again applauding the New Democratic Party of Canada for their leadership in health care this week, with the announced commitment to develop a universal public prescription drug plan with the provinces.

Today the NDP promised to work with the provinces and territories to implement a prescription drug plan that will ensure that all Canadians, regardless of age or health condition, have access to the medications that they need.

The NDP has pledged to reduce drug prices by an average of 30% through better bulk purchasing and collaboration with provincial governments, improve and expand coverage in each province with $2.6 billion in new federal funding and by reinvesting $3 billion in provincial savings from lower drug prices.

"For years Canada's nurses have watched as the high costs of prescription drugs have forced the patients we care for to choose between feeding their families or filling their prescriptions," said the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) President Linda Silas. "All developed countries with public health care systems, except Canada, provide universal coverage for prescriptions and spend 15%-60% less on prescription drugs than we currently do. In Canada, we have experienced cuts in health care services because provinces have had to deal with constant rising prescription drug costs. It is time for Canada to implement a national prescription drug program."

The CFNU is pleased that the New Democratic Party of Canada has demonstrated a bold vision for the future of our health care system in Canada and has promised action on the key issue of concern to Canadians.

Silas said: "This is something that Canada's nurses have been calling for from all political parties this election, and we continue to urge federal leaders to articulate a clear vision for health care before Canadians head to the polls on October 19."

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) is Canada's largest nurses' organization representing nearly 200,000 nurses and student nurses. The CFNU has been advocating for national discussions on key health priorities, such as a national prescription drug plan, a comprehensive approach to long-term and continuing care, greater attention to health human resources, and federal government engagement on the future of public health care.