The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has signed agreements with the Government of Canada that will contribute to increased wages for home support workers, and improved access to and affordability of drugs for rare diseases.
Canadians deserve a health care system that provides timely access to quality health services and medications, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. The Government of Canada recognizes that concerted and collaborative efforts by federal, provincial and territorial governments are needed to improve health care for Canadians, including through better supporting health workers and ensuring access to medications for all.
Today, the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Health and Community Services, the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced over $47 million in federal investments as part of two bilateral agreements to support the health of people in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The first bilateral agreement supports drugs for rare diseases. The Government of Canada will provide $22 million to improve access to drugs for rare diseases, early diagnosis and screening, starting with the funding to support the province in providing access to two drugs under the National Strategy for Rare Diseases. These drugs, namely Poteligeo, for the treatment of mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome, and Oxlumo, for the treatment of hyperoxaluria type 1, will be made available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In Canada, one in 12 people live with a rare disease. While there are thousands of rare diseases, unfortunately treatments are only available for a small percentage of these conditions. And, for most people suffering, the cost of these treatments puts them out of reach.
The names of other drugs on the common list will be published online on a drug-by-drug basis following the conclusion of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance price negotiations for each drug. In addition, Newfoundland and Labrador is committing through this agreement to work with Canada and other provinces and territories on developing and implementing a plan for improving screening and diagnostics for rare diseases.
In addition, through an amendment to the Aging with Dignity Agreement, announced in May 2024, the Government of Canada will provide more than $25 million in new funding over the next five years that will contribute to the support of home support workers. Funding from this agreement will contribute to an increase in wages for 6,000 agency-based home support workers, who assist clients with daily living, providing personal, behavioural, and household support to help them maintain independence and age safely at home.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the first province or territory to announce increases to wages for these workers through the amendments.
The Government of Canada remains committed to working with provinces and territories to improve health care for all Canadians. This includes improving the recruitment and retention of home support workers, and access to affordable prescription medications. These efforts will strengthen our health care workforce and safeguard the quality of care for vulnerable populations, promoting a more resilient and equitable health care system for all Canadians.
Quotes
“Our government is improving access to health care for all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador in keeping with the recommendations from Health Accord NL. We are happy to work with the Government of Canada to make drugs for rare diseases more accessible to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and to recognize the vital services that home support workers provide.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Health and Community Services
“This agreement is an important step towards improving health care services across Newfoundland and Labrador and supporting individuals to maintain their independence and quality of life. Home support workers provide compassionate, dignified care and deserve fair compensation for their essential role in our communities. Additionally, this agreement to support drugs for rare diseases will improve access to medications, early diagnosis, and screening, so that people in Newfoundland and Labrador with rare diseases have the best health outcome possible.”
Honourable Mark Holland
Canada’s Minister of Health
“Our government committed to investing in health care services in our rural communities. Through these bilateral agreements, we are making expensive medications more accessible for people living with a rare disease. Supporting them means supporting the strength and resilience of our communities.”
Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
-30-
Follow us on X @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL
Like us on Facebook