Canada's New Pharmacare Law

Canada's pharmacare bill is now law after passing through the Senate on Thursday and receiving the final approval needed to make it official.

This means that many people will soon be able to get more essential medications, like those for diabetes and birth control, which can otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of dollars each year. However, details are still being worked out with each province.

The law, which originated from a now-ended agreement between the Liberals and the NDP, sets up the guidelines for developing a universal pharmacare plan in the future.

"Today is focused on pharmacare. It's a very important day for this country," Health Minister Mark Holland said during a media briefing on Friday. "I won't say it was easy... Getting this bill through the House and the Senate was incredibly difficult."

With Bill C-64 now law, the pharmacare plan will cover specific diabetes treatments and contraception in provinces that agree to terms with the federal government.

The government also stated that the 3.7 million people in Canada with diabetes will have universal access to a range of medications that lower the risk of serious health complications and enhance quality of life.