September 17, 2025
Pharmacare Plan is in New Brunswickers’ Best Interests
FREDERICTON – Green Party leader David Coon says that the National Pharmacare program launched by the federal government would allow more New Brunswickers to access life-saving drugs and is questioning why the Holt government seems opposed to signing on to it.
“Megan Mitton and I have New Brunswickers regularly reaching out to our constituency offices looking for help because they can’t afford their diabetes medications and equipment,” said Coon. “It is incomprehensible that a government spokesperson told the media their priority was limited to securing funding for contraception, but not for diabetics.”
New Brunswick has the highest rate of diabetes in Canada. Over 100,000 New Brunswickers are living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, with a 30% increase expected over the next ten years. If the province reached an agreement with the federal government such as the ones signed by PEI, Manitoba, British Columbia and Yukon, it would receive an estimated $136 million to cover the costs for those seeking contraceptives and for diabetics.
“Properly investing in diabetes medications and equipment will save lives, but its also a preventative measure that will benefit our healthcare system by keeping New Brunswickers healthier,” added Coon. “The Premier needs to step up and sign an agreement with the federal government for both diabetes medications and equipment, and contraception.”