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Friday December 22, 2023

December 22, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 22, 2023The shifting Canadian attitudes towards pharmacare, as reflected in recent surveys, involve considerations of health care priorities, political negotiations, and changing sentiments amidst economic uncertainties and the ongoing pandemic, with key players including Justin Trudeau, Jagmeet Singh, and the evolving landscape of Canadian politics.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 22, 2023

Changing Tides in Canadian Attitudes Towards Pharmacare 

June 13, 2019

In recent years, Canadians appear to be reassessing the urgency of implementing a national pharmacare plan, particularly in light of the profound challenges posed by the pandemic. According to a 2023 survey conducted by Leger, only 18 percent of respondents consider a universal single-payer drug plan a top health-care priority. The focus has shifted towards addressing more immediate concerns such as surgical wait times, long-term care expansion, and mental health services, garnering 36 percent, 32 percent, and 30 percent support, respectively.

This shift in sentiment is underscored by the limited awareness of the government’s pharmacare plans, with 53 percent of those polled being unfamiliar with the proposed legislation. Negotiations between the Liberals and New Democrats, who pledged support for pharmacare in exchange for prioritizing NDP concerns, have encountered obstacles, primarily due to disagreements over the structure of the system.

News: Pharmacare not the top health priority for most Canadians: survey

September 3, 2021

While 44 percent of respondents support a drug plan covering those without existing coverage, seniors, and individuals earning less than $90,000 annually, only 22 percent believe the plan should replace basic employer-provided drug coverage. Despite the lack of overwhelming support for pharmacare, opposition remains relatively weak, with only 17 percent stating that it should not be a government priority.

Even within the Conservative voter base, only 23 percent express outright opposition to pharmacare, suggesting potential acceptance among the majority. The political landscape is crucial, with the Liberals relying on pharmacare legislation to secure NDP support and avoid an early election amid a dip in Conservative support.

April 22, 2021

In stark contrast, just four years ago, Canadians overwhelmingly supported the idea of pharmacare. In a 2019 poll conducted by Environics Research, 93 percent of respondents believed it was crucial for everyone in Canada to have equal access to prescription drugs. A resounding 88 percent felt that the federal government should take responsibility for ensuring such access.

The high cost of prescription drugs was a significant concern, leading 24 percent of households to make compromises, such as not filling or renewing prescriptions, to cope with expenses. The poll highlighted the widespread support for a universal national pharmacare program, with almost 90 percent of Canadians endorsing the initiative.

News: Pharmacare bill to be tabled by March 2024, Liberals and NDP confirm  

March 6, 2018

The stress of prescription drug costs on household budgets was reported by 35 percent of Canadians, while 21 percent of those with coverage still found the out-of-pocket expenses challenging. Disparities in access were evident, with certain groups facing greater barriers, including women, Indigenous people, those aged 18 to 44, individuals with lower incomes, and those in poorer health.

The Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions advocated for federal leadership and an equitable drug strategy, emphasizing the urgent need for a national universal pharmacare program. The poll results indicated that pharmacare was a critical concern for Canadians, urging political parties to prioritize it in the federal election discussions.

April 8, 2022

This divergence in public opinion over a relatively short period underscores the dynamic nature of Canadian attitudes towards pharmacare, with recent challenges and economic uncertainties prompting a reconsideration of priorities. The contrast with the overwhelming support just four years ago highlights the evolving nature of public sentiment in the face of changing circumstances. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

https://mackaycartoons.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1222-NAT.mp4

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2023-22, Canada, christmas, drugs, health care, Jagmeet Singh, Justin Trudeau, long term care, mental health, pharmacare, procreate, surgical wait times

Friday August 31, 2018

August 30, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday August 31, 2018

Change your stance on overdose prevention sites, health groups urge Ford

More than 100 health groups plan to send an open letter to Premier Doug Ford on Thursday, urging him to reconsider his Progressive Conservative government’s position on overdose prevention sites.

The letter — signed by 120 organizations including the Canadian AIDS Society and the Canadian Medical Association — urged Ford “to heed the recommendations of experts in public health, front-line clinicians, harm reduction staff, and people with lived experience of drug use.”

“Rather than impeding access to life-saving health services, we urge you to work with community organizations and other health services providers to ensure greater, equitable access to supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention sites for the people of Ontario.”

Since coming into power, Ford’s conservative government has put several approved sites on pause — including one in Toronto — while the government studies the issue.

“Minister Elliott is undertaking an evidence-based review, listening to experts, community leaders, community members and individuals who have lived through addiction to ensure that any continuation of drug injection sites introduce people into rehabilitation and ensure those struggling with addiction get the help they need,” a spokesperson for Elliott said in a statement to CBC Toronto.

“All of these voices will inform the review and recommendation. In the interim, the ministry has indicated that no new sites should open to the public. We expect this review to conclude in short order and will be making a recommendation on how to proceed.”

The organizations claim in the letter that the delays and closures of the sites could mean “more preventable overdose deaths and new infections of HIV, Hepatitis C and other illnesses.” (Source: CBC News) 

 

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: addiction, cemetery, Doug Ford, drugs, health, Injection, Ontario, overdose, prevention

Thursday July 26, 2018

July 25, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 26, 2018

National pharmacare ‘blueprint’ will be unveiled next spring

With more than 100 different public drug plans available across Canada, including Ontario’s recently scaled-back OHIP+, one challenge for a countrywide pharmacare program will be finding agreement on which one will work best, says Eric Hoskins.

Hoskins, the former Ontario health minister who helped usher in OHIP+ and is now in charge of developing a national plan, spoke to Canada’s premiers on Friday about the issue, the same day his advisory council launched wider public consultations online.

“There’s tremendous diversity” out there, he said, noting there are also more than 100,000 private drug plans in the country. A national pharmacare program will offer “the ability to have consistency across the country, so that a child in Ontario can expect to receive the same access to prescribed medications as a child in New Brunswick or in British Columbia or in the Northwest Territories,” he told reporters after the breakfast meeting at the picturesque Algonquin Resort.

“Changes are being made almost every day at the provincial and territorial level … (as they) try to improve access. We are trying to build consensus … so your access isn’t dependent on your postal code.”

Hoskins was joined by Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. Eight of 13 premiers attended the Friday morning session; Doug Ford was not among them.

Hoskins said premiers who didn’t make it sent senior staff, and noted that he just last week met with Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott.

The big question premiers have is about a national pharmacare program is how much it will cost and the cost-sharing arrangement, both of which are still being worked out, he said.

Hoskins said a “blueprint” with full details on the model and pricing will be ready next spring.

Billions of dollars are wasted each year given the competing plans, he said, and a federal plan would see lower costs through efficiencies like bulk purchasing.

Currently, Canada spends the most per capita on prescriptions after Switzerland and the U.S. (Source: Toronto Star) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: Canada, drugs, health, medication, pharmacare, pills, prescription, taxes

Friday June 22, 2018

June 20, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 22, 2018

Justin Trudeau says pot will be legal as of Oct. 17, 2018

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that Canadians will be able to consume marijuana recreationally without criminal penalties starting on Oct. 17, 2018 — many months later than the government’s initial target date.

August 23, 2013

“One of the things that we heard very clearly from the provinces is that they need a certain amount of time to get their bricks and mortar stores — their online sales — ready. Producers need time to be able to actually prepare for a regimented and successful implementation of the regime … This is something that we want to get right,” Trudeau told reporters at a press conference held today before the House of Commons rises for its summer recess.

“By giving the provinces more time to ensure that they are fully ready for the day of coming into force of this legislation, it will be a smooth success in all the ways that we can hope for.”

While the federal government was responsible for the bill that will ultimately legalize recreational marijuana possession, home growing and sales to adults — by dismantling key aspects of the Criminal Code that ensured prohibition for 95 years — the practical details of implementing legalization have been left largely to the provinces and territories.

December 12, 2017

As is common in the Canadian system of federalism, each province has taken a different approach — and some are more prepared than others. New Brunswick, for example, has already built its first retail storefront, while Nunavut only passed its legal framework on Tuesday.

The government has long said there would be a buffer of eight to 12 weeks between the bill’s passage and full legalization to allow provinces to get their systems up and running to sell recreational marijuana from storefronts. (Source: CBC)

 

SaveSave

Posted in: Canada Tagged: Canada, cannabis, drugs, Justin Trudeau, legalization, Marijuana, pot, Prime Minister

Wednesday December 6, 2017

December 5, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday December 6, 2017

Supervised injection site in works for downtown Hamilton

The city has endorsed a supervised injection site for downtown Hamilton but it’s up to a community agency to step up to run such a facility.

The city’s board of health endorsed the findings of a long-awaited study Monday that recommend adding at least one permanent site in the core for people to safely inject illegal drugs under the watchful eye of health professionals.

But the study also recommended the site be “integrated” with an existing agency that already offers “harm reduction” services, like needle exchanges or addiction treatment.

Hamilton’s public health unit will offer “in-kind” support for a supervised injection site, said medical officer of health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, but she added it is expected the province will fund operations by a willing community agency.

Richardson said unspecified agencies in the downtown area have “informally expressed interest,” but added it may take several months before an application is completed and vetted by the government. (The province is expected to pay for operations, but the federal government also has to give an exemption for illegal drug use and possession on site.)

She wouldn’t speculate about which agencies will apply to run a supervised injection site, but two groups that already offer related services showed up Monday to urge city support.

Wesley Urban Ministries already runs a supervised consumption site for residents battling alcohol dependency, offers “harm reduction materials” for drug users and sexual health counselling, noted housing and homelessness director Dean Waterfield.

“We know practising harm reduction leads to further treatment, better health care and better neighbourhoods,” said Waterfield, who added 10 agency clients have died by drug overdose this year. He urged councillors to add a supervised injection site “to the tool box” of local agencies. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Posted in: Hamilton Tagged: addiction, drugs, Hamilton, heroin, legalized, Liquor, narcotics, public health, supervised addiction, treatment
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