Canada should create a new national arm's-length agency to manage prescription medications, including negotiating prices and creating a formulary of approved, covered drugs, says an interim report from the Liberal government's advisory council on the implementation of national pharmacare. "The current system of prescription drug coverage in Canada is inadequate, unsustainable and leaves too many Canadians behind," Hoskins said. There was also no mention in the interim report of how much money would be needed to set up the national drug agency the council is recommending. That agency "would act as a steward of national pharmacare and provide guidance and advice to governments," the report said. Hoskins also said the release of the interim report had been planned in advance and that although people were "anxious to see the final report," the recommendations presented in Wednesday's announcement were "important."

Source: CBC News March 06, 2019 13:15 UTC