The government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has introduced a bill to Parliament that brings Canada closer to implementing a national drug coverage program.

BBC reported, quoting a statement from the office of Health Minister Mark Holland, saying that the bill sets "fundamental principles" for a national drug program, and that the government will begin, as a first step, negotiations to provide a comprehensive coverage system for all residents through the public sector, private sector, or both together, with a system based on having a single entity responsible for healthcare provision, mostly the government, regarding a number of contraceptives and diabetes medications.

BBC mentioned that Trudeau’s government must secure agreements with all regional governments in order to provide drug coverage.

The office of Holland said in the statement that the bill also establishes a new Canadian Drug Agency "which will work on developing a national formulary, developing a national bulk purchasing strategy, and supporting the implementation of a Canadian public strategy regarding the appropriate use of medically prescribed drugs."