What is the treaty right to a medicine chest for First Nations people?

It's an agreement, including a written clause in Treaty 6 and oral promises in others, for Indian Agents to keep medicines available for First Nations people.

How does the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program work for Candace McArthur?

The NIHB program provides coverage for medically necessary items for people with Indian status, like Candace McArthur's grandchildren, for whom multivitamins are an open benefit.

Why did Candace McArthur have issues at the Pharmasave in Carlyle?

The Pharmasave in Carlyle asked for a deposit, making Candace McArthur feel wrongly accused, despite her treaty status and eligibility for covered medications.

Home / Health / Treaty Right to Medicine Access Faces Pharmacy Hurdles

Treaty Right to Medicine Access Faces Pharmacy Hurdles

20 Dec

•

Summary

First Nations woman denied vitamins due to treaty status misunderstanding.
Pharmacies vary in their recognition and application of treaty health benefits.
Arcola Pharmacy successfully provided covered over-the-counter medications.

A First Nations woman's attempt to access vitamins for her grandchildren using her treaty status was met with a request for a deposit at a Saskatchewan pharmacy. This experience left her feeling stigmatized, contrasting sharply with a subsequent visit to another pharmacy. The incident underscores challenges in accessing healthcare benefits, particularly for those in rural areas.

The Non-Insured Health Benefits program, overseen by Indigenous Services Canada, aims to cover medically necessary items for individuals with Indian status. While multivitamins for children are considered an 'open benefit,' accessing them can be complicated by pharmacy policies and understanding of treaty rights, like the medicine chest clause.

While one pharmacy expressed willingness to help within coverage limits, the initial encounter created distress. Fortunately, a different pharmacy in Arcola successfully processed the request, providing much-needed over-the-counter medications and demonstrating a more supportive approach to treaty beneficiaries.