Pharmacare Act (44-1)
Pharmacare Act. Royal assent October 10, 2024 (S.C. 2024, c. 21). First-phase federal pharmacare law. Federal government pays for two drug categories: contraceptives (covering all hormonal contraceptives plus copper IUDs for an estimated 9 million people of reproductive age) and diabetes medications (covering insulin and the major oral diabetes drugs for an estimated 3.7 million Canadians with diabetes). Implemented through federal-provincial bilateral agreements; provinces opt in. British Columbia, Manitoba, Yukon, and Prince Edward Island signed agreements during 2024-2025. Sponsored by Mark Holland as Minister of Health. (44-1 duplicate code; see C-64 for full editorial.)
Status
Quick learn
Sets up the first stage of federal pharmacare: covers diabetes medications and contraception for everyone with provincial health-card coverage, once each province signs a bilateral implementation deal with Ottawa. Limited in scope but creates the legislative framework for expansion in future Parliaments.
Issues this bill touches
- Healthcare
Pharmacare Act first phase (44-1 alt).
Legislative history
- Introduced
Tabled in the originating chamber by the sponsor.
View source - Royal assent
Approved by both chambers and granted royal assent; now law.
View source
Sponsored by
Mark HollandLIBERALOfficial source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada