Conference Coverage: 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum
On Dec. 5, 2023, Benefits Canada held its annual Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum, the industry’s most popular drug benefits conference.
Industry experts presented a full day of educational sessions, which informed attendees about fresh drug plan design insights, key trends and considerations.
Here’s what you missed!
Jacob Bonafiglia
Novo Nordisk
Melissa Kim
Boehringer-Ingelheim
Dr. Shereen Ezzat
University Health Network
Innovative drugs helping plan members manage chronic conditions
Many plan members with diabetes struggle with adherence to daily insulin injections and research has found the majority of patients wish they could achieve the same control over their condition with fewer injections.
This session was made possible by Boehringer-Ingelheim Canada, Merck Canada Inc. and Novo Nordisk.
Innovative Medicines Canada
High-cost drug claims lead to 20-times greater cost per claim for small plan sponsors
A recent survey by Innovative Medicines Canada found there are growing listing delays among Canada’s private drug plans.
Health Solutions by Shoppers
How preferred pharmacy networks can lower drug plan costs, boost access to care
Pharmacists are now uniquely positioned to support Canadians at a time when the public health-care system is stretched thin, creating significant barriers for people looking to access care.
Anjila Arora
Sun Life Financial
A closer look at growing asthma drug spend
Many Canadians living with asthma are experiencing poor control over their symptoms, impacting the workplace.
Medavie Blue Cross
How plan sponsors can improve employee health outcomes while optimizing drug plan spend
With chronic conditions growing in prevalence among plan members, plan sponsors have their work cut out for them in designing benefits plans that provide adequate health support and employee satisfaction while also being cost effective.
Joyce Wong
Express Scripts Canada
Examining the link between cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity
While medications for three interconnected chronic conditions — cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity — represent a growing proportion of employers’ drug spend, there’s plenty that can be done to help employees’ slow the progression of these conditions while managing drug plan costs.
Desjardins Insurance
Canadian Biosimilars Forum
How plan sponsors can use biosimilars to support employee health, reduce drug costs
Despite the safety and efficacy of biosimilars — and the potential cost savings they offer — uptake among private payers has been low historically and is only starting to gain steam.
John Adams
Best Medicines Coalition
Plan sponsors, private payers can work together to help employees with rare diseases access novel treatments
It’s important for private payers and employers to be nimble and innovative to support plan members seeking access to novel drugs and treatments by addressing common hurdles within their own drug plans.
Sponsors
To view highlights from the 2022 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum, please click here.
To view highlights from the 2021 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum, please click here.
To view highlights from the 2020 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum, please click here.