C-340Canada Pharmacare Act
An Act to enact the Canada Pharmacare Act
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on June 13, 2023
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since June 13, 2023
What it does
Sets rules provinces must meet for federal cash contributions to public drug insurance plans.
What it does
- Sets five conditions for provincial drug plans to qualify for federal cash contributions: public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility.
- Requires public drug plans to cover all insured prescription drugs and related dispensing fees for insured persons on uniform terms.
- Limits residence or waiting periods to no more than three months and sets rules for drug coverage when insured persons travel or move between provinces.
- Allows the Minister of Health to ask provinces for information, then refer non-compliance to the Governor in Council, which may reduce or withhold payments.
- Lets the federal government and provinces create an independent drug agency to assess drugs, advise on coverage, negotiate prices and monitor safety.
- Requires the Minister of Health to table an annual report in Parliament on how provinces met the bill's criteria and conditions.
Who it affects
- Provincial drug insurance plans
- Provincial governments
- People covered by drug plans
- Health care practitioners
- The Minister of Health
- Drug manufacturers
Background
The bill applies to cash contributions that may be provided to a province under other Acts of Parliament. It defines a drug insurance plan as a provincial plan or plans that cover the cost of insured drugs and related dispensing fees.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Outside the Order of Precedence. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.