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Longueuil – As part of the 2026 Agenda edition of its campaign A strong public system: what if we dared to do it?, the APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) is unveiling its theme for the month: “Break free from Big Pharma: what if we dared to do it?” With health insurance premiums – around 85% of which are related to medication – having almost tripled in 15 years, the APTS argues that it’s time to replace the current hybrid system with a universal public drug insurance plan that would be fairer and more efficient.

An expensive system that benefits pharmaceutical companies

Today, access to prescription drug coverage still largely depends on job status. Individuals whose employer or union offers private insurance are required to enroll, while everyone else is covered by the public plan. 

This hybrid system contributes to increasing costs for all Quebecers, regardless of their insurer, because in both cases, it weakens insurers’ power to bargain with pharmaceutical companies. Costs are even higher in the private system, because insurers also have to cover their administrative expenses, taxes, and higher drug distribution costs, as well as manage risk for much smaller groups of people than in the public plan. 

That means that total spending on drugs per capita in Québec is among the highest for OECD member countries (US $1,085 per capita), since most of these countries have a universal public drug insurance plan (average cost: US $518).

“By maintaining a fragmented system, we weaken our bargaining power, allow pharmaceutical companies to dictate the terms and generate unnecessary costs of all sorts,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “There’s a better solution.”

In July: levelling the playing field with pharmaceutical companies 

By bringing all Quebecers under a single public plan and strengthening Québec’s bargaining power with pharmaceutical companies, a universal public drug insurance plan would better control costs – including through system-wide bulk purchasing – and provide equitable coverage for everyone, regardless of employment status. According to a 2017 study, such a plan could generate up to $3.8 billion in annual savings in Québec while providing more equitable access to prescription drugs. “We can’t continue to accept a situation in which Quebecers – and the government! – pay ever higher prices to enrich insurers and pharmaceutical companies,” said APTS first vice-president Émilie Charbonneau. “A simpler, fairer and more efficient system is possible. All we need is the political will to make it happen.” 

The APTS

The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) represents more than 68,000 members who play a key role in ensuring that health and social services institutions run smoothly. Our members provide a wide range of services for all Quebecers, including diagnostic, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychosocial intervention, clinical support, and prevention services.