CPhA calls on federal parties to prioritize drug supply protection and expanded access to primary care
March 24, 2025 (Ottawa): As Canada enters a federal election campaign, the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is calling on all parties to commit to concrete actions that will protect Canada’s drug supply and improve access to primary care by enabling pharmacists and other health professionals to practice to their full education and training.
“The health of Canadians is on the line,” said Annette Robinson, CPhA Chair. “We need strong federal leadership to ensure that medications are available when people need them and that pharmacists and other health professionals can fully contribute to fixing the primary care crisis.”
Protecting Canada’s drug supply
Canada continues to experience frequent, critical drug shortages that put patients at risk and create strain on the entire health system. The situation is now even more uncertain because of potential U.S. trade policies, including possible tariffs on drugs and ongoing global supply chain instability. The federal government has many levers at its disposal to ensure that Canada’s drug policies can withstand these pressures. If Canada wants a stronger, more resilient drug system, the next federal government must:
- Exclude drugs from any potential tariffs and provide targeted support to impacted interest holders within the supply chain, in order to mitigate drug cost increases for patients.
- Ensure that pharmacare, drug pricing, and other key policies support long-term drug supply stability.
Expanding access to primary care
Millions of Canadians struggle to access primary care when and where they need it, and wait times continue to worsen across the country. Pharmacists are an essential part of the solution, delivering high-quality, accessible care in communities across the country. However, regulatory and funding barriers prevent them from practicing to the full extent of their education and training. To build a more sustainable and patient-centered health-care system, CPhA is calling on the next federal government to partner with provinces and territories to:
- Fully integrate pharmacists into primary care as independent providers
- Ensure sustainable funding for pharmacist-led care
- Provide targeted investments to expand the number of pharmacists entering and staying in the profession
“As Canadians head to the polls, we urge all political parties to recognize the essential role of pharmacists and commit to policies that will protect our drug supply and strengthen primary care access,” added Robinson. “The solutions exist – we just need a commitment to implement them.”
About the Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians.
For more information, please contact:
Tyler Gogo
Senior Manager, Communications
Canadian Pharmacists Association
tgogo@pharmacists.ca
613-293-7223