Momentum is building across Canada for the adoption of a national pharmacare program. Recently, federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose asked Ontario to lead discussions with the provinces about the possibility. Some observers argue that a national program would be more accessible, more equitable and more efficient than the existing programs. What is the case for full and universal coverage of prescription drug costs? What are the required conditions for such an initiative to succeed? On February 27, 2015, the IRPP explored these important questions in a webinar discussion with health policy experts and IRPP authors Steven G. Morgan (Are Income-Based Public Drug Benefit Programs Fit for an Aging Population?) and Steven Lewis (It’s Time to Rethink Ottawa’s Role in Health Care).

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