The idea of a basic list is an evolving concept. Typically, we're talking about between 100 and 200 medications that, to the best of my understanding, make up about 40% to 50% of prescriptions. These drugs are often used to treat chronic illness, and often they prove to be quite costly to those people without insurance. Those who are in precarious employment, those without coverage, those who are low income, perhaps, stand to benefit the most from a basic list. Of course, it would also begin to normalize the idea of public insurance for all Canadians.
In a sense, it's your biggest bang for the buck in terms of health equity and health outcomes.