Thank you for your question, Mr. Julian.
I think we have to guarantee coverage for everyone before considering the pharmacists. I think that's the first step.
Under a measure in Quebec, no one pays a deductible or copayment of more than $996 a year, regardless of whether the coverage is public or private. It's what's called “the ceiling.”
For low-income individuals, the ceiling is zero. They therefore pay nothing. People who have incomes have a ceiling of $996 per year. The public program has a monthly ceiling, and private plans have an annual ceiling. I think it would be helpful to spread that amount out over 12 months because a single amount of $1,000 might be too much for certain individuals. It might cause them to question their decision to take their drugs. However, $90 or $100 a month might be possible.
I don't think the solution is necessarily to make drugs free for everyone. Instead we should educate people who have a certain income level, by which I mean people who can afford to pay for their drugs. They should be told that their drugs are essential and a priority, that they should attach to them the importance they deserve and that they shouldn't choose other products that might undermine their treatments. However, people in the public system who can't pay for their drugs should enjoy full coverage; there should be no barriers preventing them from taking their drugs.