by B.J. Caldwell, Educator

Dale Smith at Xtra! National published a piece today that -- among other things -- highlights the spotty and inconsistent coverage for HIV drugs depending on which province/territory (or federal healthcare plan) you belong to. From the article:

Jim Kerr, the prairie regional HIV/AIDS director at the Canadian AIDS Society, learned about the pitfalls firsthand when he moved from Alberta to Manitoba. “In Alberta, all your HIV meds are covered under the catastrophic drug plan,” says Kerr. “In Manitoba, they have a pharmacare plan, which assesses a deductable, depending on your income. If I were still working and not retired, the first $6,000 would come out of my pocket unless I had some kind of co-insurance. For other people, the variety of those who do not have co-insurance, they’re falling between the cracks of our social safety net.”

The main thrust of the piece is the need for a federal catastrophic drug plan (as was called to be created by 2014 in the Healthcare Accord). While the current federal government has been resistant to move on this issue, it's two main arguments against action are dismantled in the article.

The article finishes with:

But until the provinces and federal government can come to an agreement on making drug coverage a national system that guarantees equal access, the patchwork between jurisdictions will continue forcing people to choose between getting medications they need and financial devastation.

To keep updated on current treatment issues in Canada, stop by CTAC (Canadian Treatment Action Council)

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