Posted by Michael Wonder on 28 Feb 2017
Universal public coverage of essential drugs would improve health care, research suggests
27 February 2017 - Price of medication for high blood pressure, diabetes sometimes blocks patients' treatment.
Governments should pay for essential prescribed medicines for all Canadians in order to improve their health care, new research suggests.
Drugs considered "essential medicines" should be available at all times to everyone who needs them, the researchers say. Examples include insulin, some antibiotics and oral contraceptives.
The World Health Organization introduced the concept of essential medicines, and more than 110 countries have adapted it to their needs. Canada has not, despite a 2012 call from the House of Commons health committee to establish such a list as soon as possible.
