ST. JOHN’S – Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier is accusing the federal government of creating unequal access to essential medications through a “fractured” approach to pharmacare.
Tony Wakeham wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney this week, noting that Ottawa has signed drug coverage agreements with just three provinces and one territory.
The premier said Newfoundland and Labrador has unique health and demographic challenges, and he is eager to resume negotiations about a pharmacare plan.
Last week, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said her government would like to sign a pharmacare deal, but Ottawa hasn’t recognized her province’s “unique realities.”
As a result, she said there wasn’t much momentum toward an agreement.
She made her remarks standing next to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said Holt’s comments reflected his feelings on the issue “word for word, almost.”
A spokesperson for federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel says the department is taking a collaborative approach with all provinces and territories, including Newfoundland and Labrador.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2026.
