Canadian Healthcare System Essay

The Canadian healthcare system is based on the publicly funded “Medicare” programme since the 60s. Canada’s healthcare system represents a national health insurance model which uses private sector providers while payments come from a government insurance programme that every citizen is obliged to pay. In 2013, the 35.2 million people living in Canada have spent in health $4.351 per capita in total (public, private and out of pocket) which represents 10,2% of GDP, nearly to the average health spending of OECD countries (OECD, 2016). It is important to mention that Canada is divided in large geographic regions, 10 provinces and 3 territories. Approximately, 75% of the population of Canada, lives within 100 miles of the U.S.A borders and over half of the population lives in Ontario and Quebec. Nonetheless,
The provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan offer their public drug plan to all residents while Quebec lacks drug coverage. The federal government is providing drug plans for veterans, federal police, First Nations and armed services individuals. In 2011 the records of Canada showed that 10% of the Canadians lack basic drug coverage. In 2014 70% of the health spending was publicly funded while 30% was private or out of pocket (ISPOR,2014). Health Canada is the federal health department responsible for the marketing authorisation of drugs under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and the provision of healthcare services according to Canada Health Act (CHA) legislation. Health Canada advices the provinces and territories for formulary decision making based on the principle of equity on drugs access. Health Canada's vision is to make Canada's population among the healthiest in the world, although the lack of universality in drug coverage is still a burden that needs to be