Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange is calling for better collaboration on drug coverage. Photo/Government of Alberta

By David Opinko

Alberta opposing national pharmacare rollout

Oct 11, 2024 | 2:27 PM

The Alberta government says there are better ways that drug coverage can be supported and expanded upon than what is being offered by Ottawa.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Friday she is willing to work with Ottawa to discuss ways the feds can invest in Alberta’s existing pharmacare programs and expand coverage to those who need it.

Her comments come as legislation to enact the rollout of the national pharmacare program received royal assent on Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging provinces and territories to start negotiating deals with his administration.

As a first step, the program aims to cover diabetes and birth control medications under the public health system.

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LaGrange says it is unfortunate that Trudeau has not shared his future vision for the rollout of the national program beyond those two items, nor how it will be financially supported in the long term while respecting Alberta’s current offerings.

“Alberta has some of the most comprehensive public drug programs in the country, covering more than 5,000 drugs, and we intend to maintain our current benefit offerings,” LaGrange said.

“The federal government can assist us in enhancing our current offerings by not adding duplicate programs or creating unnecessary and costly administrative burdens.”

According to LaGrange, her federal counterparts have not offered any meaningful consultation or collaboration on drug coverage.

She says the province will continue to call for predictable, sustainable and unconditional health funding that aligns with provincial and territorial priorities and respects our exclusive jurisdiction over the planning, organization and management of Canada’s health care systems.

A full list of coverage and benefit programs offered by the Alberta government can be found here.