The Yukon and federal governments have agreed on Phase 1 of a pharmacare deal to provide universal access to contraceptive and diabetes medications for Yukoners, and improve access to diabetes devices and supplies, according to a press release.
The deal, worth $9.5 million over four years, was signed on March 19.
But the following day in the Yukon Legislative Assembly, when Yukon NDP Leader Kate White put forward a motion and asked when the pharmacare agreement was coming since she said three provinces had already signed on, Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee held off on making the announcement of the floor of the legislature.
McPhee said there was no delay in signing on, but she failed to mention the deal had already been signed. The new federal pharmacare measures were announced, legislation was drafted, and assent was granted in October 2024, per McPhee. She told MLAs the pharmacare partnership will benefit Yukoners, in addition to other benefit programs.
The press release was issued a short while later on March 20.
"Through this historic agreement, Yukon residents will receive public coverage for a range of contraceptives and diabetes medications at little to no cost," reads the release. “This will support the reproductive freedom of more than 12,000 Yukoners and make sure that over 3,000 residents with diabetes can access essential medications to reduce their risk of serious health complications and improve their quality of life."
Coverage begins Oct. 10, according to Ayodeji Awobamise in communications for the Yukon health department.
On March 13, $8.5 million over three years was announced jointly in a press release by the feds and the territorial government for improving access to selected new drugs for rare disease and better access to existing drugs, early diagnosis and screening.
The first step invests in providing access to Yescarta, which the release describes as a drug used to treat several forms of relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas in adults.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
