Provinces across the country are taking steps to tackle the growing cost of generic drugs. Benefits Canada presents this series on drug reform to help plan sponsors navigate the murky world of pharmaceuticals.
Ontario Public Drug Program exec to resign:
Helen Stevenson to leave this summer, according to reports.
Ontario drug savings ambiguous:
Many plans will not see cost reductions until 2011, and some may eventually pay more.
Ontario to delay drug reforms:
The Ontario government is putting the brakes on proposed changes to generic drug rules.
Professional allowances banned:
The Ontario legislature passed Bill 16, Creating the Foundation for Jobs and Growth Act, 2010 , on Tuesday, banning professional allowances (generic rebates) to pharmacies. In the meantime, the McGuinty government is treading carefully with regard to further changes.
Generic drug plan innovation up to plan sponsors:
Organizations that are ready to cut a deal on generics will fare much better than those which choose to let the government set the rules for them. Read more…
Towers Watson launches drug plan coalition:
Towers Watson has announced a new drug plan management outsourcing service to organizations, aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability in the face of rising costs. Read more…
National drug consensus emerging:
Provincial health ministers appear to be circling the wagons in the fight for lower drug prices. Read more…
Ontario drug reform: will plan sponsors pay more?:
While generic drug costs for plan sponsors will fall, the pharmacy industry will look to other areas—possibly beyond Ontario—to recoup their losses, writes Mike Sullivan. Read more…
Ontario drug reform gets ugly:
Ontario’s assistant deputy minister of health is the subject of death threats, reports the Toronto Star. Read more…
The war of words between Ontario’s pharmacy industry and the provincial government over changes to generic drug prices continues as vice-chair of Ontario Pharmacists’ Association Janet McCutchon addresses a gathering of pharmacists in Toronto.
Axe falls harder than expected on Ontario pharmacies:
Ontario to eliminate professional allowances and reduce the highest cost it will pay for generic drugs to 25% of the brand equivalent.