8:00 – 9:00 AM: 

Breakfast (Crystal Ballroom)

9:00 – 9:30 AM:

Beyond the numbers: Addressing ADHD in modern health care and plan management

This session will explore the evolving landscape of ADHD treatment and management through three key lenses: current trends in drug claims data, challenges in equitable access to care and strategies for sustainable drug plan management. It will share insights into shifting ADHD demographics, research disparities and the broader implications for supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. Through evidence-based discussions, the session will address the critical role of drug plan management in balancing care accessibility with cost-effectiveness, ultimately driving better outcomes for individuals and organizations alike.

Speaker:

Marie-Hélène Dugal, manager, pharmacy benefit strategy, Medavie Blue Cross

9:30 – 10:00 AM:

Drugs are not enough: A holistic approach to weight management

This session will explore pharmacy-driven strategies to help employers go beyond medications and create a supportive environment for employees. It will examine common roadblocks like access issues and discuss solutions such as optimizing drug plan coverage for weight management medications. The session will explore the power of integrated care teams, including pharmacists, and how leveraging community pharmacies can lead to better employee outcomes.

Speakers:

Karen Kesteris, vice-president, payor partnerships, Health Solutions by Shoppers Drug Mart

Anu Sharda, senior director, payor partnerships, Health Solutions by Shoppers Drug Mart

10:00 – 10:30 AM: 

Networking break

10:30 – 11:00 AM:

Empowering women’s health through drug benefits 

This session will highlight the importance of access to medication to optimize women’s health throughout their lives. It will emphasize the role of comprehensive drug benefits in improving health outcomes and reducing disparities to enhance women’s health empowerment.

Speaker:

Neda Nasseri, pharmacist and product director, drug benefits, Desjardins Insurance

This session has been made possible by Pfizer Canada.

11:00 – 11:30 AM:

Unlocking insights: Navigating drug benefits utilization and emerging trends in women's health

This session will dive into the evolving landscape of women's health through a comprehensive exploration of drug benefits utilization. It will look at the unique needs of women across different age groups and therapeutic areas.

Speaker:

Farah Belayadi, senior manager, clinical services and health technology database, Express Scripts Canada

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: 

Precision oncology in breast cancer

This session will explore companion diagnostics and the crucial role they play in identifying the genes or biomarkers used in targeted drug therapies and personalizing cancer treatment. It will delve into the potential of targeted drug therapies, the significance of these companion diagnostics and the value they offer to working Canadians diagnosed with cancer.

Speaker:

Kimberly Carson, chief executive officer, Breast Cancer Canada

This session has been made possible by AstraZeneca Canada.

12:00 – 1:00 PM:

Lunch (Crystal Ballroom)

1:00 – 2:15 PM:

Panel: The evolution of obesity, vaccines and fertility coverage

The evolution of drug coverage panel will focus on how and why drug plans need to evolve to be inclusive and to attract and retain plan members while also ensuring sustainability. As health-care and drug development evolves, are drug plans matching innovation? Have drug plans changed with the growing recognition of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace?

Panellists:

Amine M. Bouchaib, director, patient access, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.

Michelle Chidley, co-founder and chair, Fertility Alberta Advocacy and Outreach Association and principal, Aisling Communications Inc.

Frédéric Leblanc, strategic leader, drug programs, group benefits and retirement solutions, iA Financial Group

Pavithra Ravinatarajan, pharmacist, head of pharmacy strategy and pharmaceutical relationships, Manulife and adjunct professor, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy

This session has been made possible by EMD Serono, GSK, iA Financial Group, Merck, Novo Nordisk Canada and Pfizer Canada.

2:15 – 2:45 PM: 

Networking break

2:45 – 3:15 PM:

Pathway to plan members: Private market drug reimbursement trends

This session will present results from a recent survey on the private market drug reimbursement pathway and will highlight challenges and opportunities related to ensuring comprehensive and timely access for plan members. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of evolving reimbursement trends and their impact on coverage.

Speaker:

Joe Farago, executive director, private payers and investment, Innovative Medicines Canada

3:15 – 3:45 PM:

Managed care: Strategies to enhance outcomes and optimize plan resources

With rising drug costs and specialty drugs becoming more prevalent, it’s essential to have a sustainable strategy in place to manage costs effectively. This session will discuss how managed care programs apply clinical and scientific evidence to guide medication use. It will illustrate how managed care programs in Canada continue to evolve and look at the range of approaches adopted by both public and private plans to help ensure value and efficiency in health care.

Speaker:

Bobby Currie, director, drug evaluation, Manulife

3:45 PM: 

Closing remarks