Volunteers canvassed the City of Penticton with NDP MP Richard Cannings on April 27 for National Day of Action on Pharmacare.
According to a news release, hundreds took part in the national canvassing iniative to “let Canadians know the NDP is tired of waiting for Liberals and Conservatives to take action and is promising to begin a universal and comprehensive national pharmacare program in 2020 if the party is elected.”
READ ALSO: NDP unveils universal pharmacare plan, aims program delivery by the end of 2020
“It only makes sense to save the country billions of dollars each year and keep Canadians healthier at the same time,” said Cannings in the news release, referring to the $4 billion dollars the Parliamentary Budget Secretary estimated would be saved by implementing a single-buyer system for pharmaceuticals.
“Our conversations on Penticton doorsteps were overwhelmingly supportive” said MP Cannings, “We need to stand up for Canadians who can’t afford to fill their prescriptions. Right now, big drug companies and insurance companies are benefiting and regular people are not coping with the rising costs of medications. We need a government that is going to do things differently.”
READ ALSO: Big pharma might cut R&D, delay new drugs if pharmacare means more generics: memo
NDP Health Critic and MP Don Davies plans to visit Penticton and host a town hall alongside Cannings on “The Pharmacare Plan You Deserve” on May 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Penticton Public Library Auditorium. Everyone is welcome at this free event, and more event can be supplied by calling Richards’ office at 250-770-4480.
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