2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:24:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 Coverage of the 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/coverage-of-the-2023-face-to-face-drug-plan-management-forum/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 13:00:46 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150346 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! Innovative drugs helping plan members manage chronic […]

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]]> High-cost drug claims lead to 20-times greater cost per claim for small plan sponsors https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/high-cost-drug-claims-lead-to-20-times-greater-cost-per-claim-for-small-plan-sponsors/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 13:00:24 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150385 A recent survey by Innovative Medicines Canada found there are growing listing delays among Canada’s private drug plans, said Joe Farago, the organization’s executive director of private payers and investment, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in December. The survey noted private payer review times can take […]

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]]> Innovative drugs helping plan members manage chronic conditions https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/innovative-drugs-helping-plan-members-manage-chronic-conditions/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:59:56 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150359 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, said Jacob Bonafiglia, medical science liaison with Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., during a panel discussion sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim Canada, Merck Canada Inc. […]

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]]> How preferred pharmacy networks can lower drug plan costs, boost access to care https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/how-preferred-pharmacy-networks-can-lower-drug-plan-costs-boost-access-to-care/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:58:55 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150509 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, said Dr. Jennifer Poh, senior director of drug plan solutions at Health Solutions by Shoppers, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in […]

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]]> A closer look at growing asthma drug spend https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/a-closer-look-at-growing-asthma-drug-spend/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:57:40 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150552 Many Canadians living with asthma are experiencing poor control over their symptoms, impacting the workplace, said Anjila Arora, director of pharmaceutical benefits at Sun Life Financial Inc., during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. Between 53 and 90 per cent of asthmatic Canadians meet at least one criteria for poor control […]

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]]> How plan sponsors can improve employee health outcomes while optimizing drug plan spend https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/how-plan-sponsors-can-improve-health-outcomes-while-optimizing-their-drug-plan-spend/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:56:14 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150572 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, said Marie-Hélène Dugal, manager of pharmacy benefit strategy for Medavie Blue Cross, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug […]

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]]> Examining the link between cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/examining-the-link-between-cardiovascular-disease-diabetes-and-obesity/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:55:36 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150584 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, said Joyce Wong, director of clinical services at Express Scripts Canada, during Benefits […]

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]]> How plan sponsors can use biosimilars to support employee health, reduce drug costs https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/how-plan-sponsors-can-use-biosimilars-to-support-employee-health-reduce-drug-costs/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:54:04 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150607 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, said Neda Nasseri, pharmacist and private payer product director at Desjardins Insurance, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in December. The insurer first developed […]

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]]> Plan sponsors, private payers can work together to help employees with rare diseases access novel treatments https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/employees-with-rare-diseases-need-help-from-plan-sponsors-private-payers-to-access-novel-treatments-patient-advocate/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:53:19 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150657 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, said John Adams, chair of the board of directors for patient advocacy group Best Medicines Coalition, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face […]

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