AUDIT REVEALS YUKON PARTY’S MISMANAGEMENT OF PHARMACARE
A government audit into Yukon’s Pharmacare and Extended Health Benefits Program describes yet another example of mismanagement when it comes to our health care system, says NDP Leader Liz Hanson.
The audit, dated April 8, but only recently posted on the government website, says there’s been no progress on eight recommendations that were brought to the government’s attention in 2006.
Of the ignored recommendations, the most significant are:
The full report can be found at http://www.eco.gov.yk.ca/pdf/audit_pharmacare-rpt-phase2.pdf.
“The audit points out the need to get a greater handle on rising drug costs and their impact on the sustainability of our health care system,” says Hanson. “As with Taking the Pulse, this government has a track record of neglect and denial when it comes to stewardship of health care.”
This internal audit comes on the heels of the February 2011 report on Yukon’s healthcare system by the Office of the Auditor General which recommended that the Department of Health and Social Services institute a rigorous process for monitoring departmental and program costs.
The cost for drugs has risen at a higher rate than health care generally in Yukon. In fact, a 2005-06 study showed that spending on drugs grew at twice the rate of general health spending over a 10-year period. Over this time, the net cost of the Yukon Pharmacare program grew by 67 per cent.
Recently, while at the Western Premiers’ Forum in Yellowknife, Premier-designate Darrell Pasloski said: “In terms of leadership, what I brought to the table was good discussion around health and health sustainability and also participated quite actively in drug procurement, as you know what my past is.”
“I’d be curious what Mr. Pasloski intends to do after years of neglect and mismanagement”, says Hanson. “I hope he lets Yukoners in on his plans, particularly when it comes to negotiating a new deal on pharmaceuticals.”
An NDP government would push for a National Pharmacare Strategy so that provinces and territories could find cost savings through bulk-buying. As well, an NDP government would immediately get talks going with the Pharmacy Society of Yukon to get a fair deal for Yukoners.