Of fads and editorials
Online posting: Oct. 14, 1997
Published in print: November 15, 1997 (CMAJ 1997;157:1353)
Re: The times they are confusing: what lies ahead for the
new health minister and physicians in Canada?, John Hoey and
Kenneth M. Flegel, CMAJ 1997;157(1):39-41 [full text / résumé]
See response from: J. Hoey, K. Flegel
I find it regrettable that Drs. Hoey and Flegel use the term
"fad" to describe the proposal to make prescription drug coverage
universal.
This proposal has been given careful consideration by politicians
in at least 2 of the major parties, as well as by the National
Forum on Health.
The lack of universal drug coverage in Canada is incongruous:
legislation assures free universal coverage of physicians'
services but fails to guarantee the treatment prescribed.
Prescription drugs are included in the universal health coverage
of other industrialized countries ù which, incidentally, have
lower overall costs for health care as a percentage of GDP.
The writers might let us know what else they and the CMA (if they
are speaking for that organization) consider "fads." Votes for
women and ending child labour, perhaps?
Bob Frankford, MB, BS
Toronto, Ont.
hbrf@inforamp.net
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