Canadian physicians are becoming more familiar with biosimilars, according to a new survey by the U.S.-based Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines. The organization’s new survey, which polled more than 400 Canadian prescribers of biologics from 13 therapeutic specialties, found 83 per cent of respondents are either familiar or very familiar with biosimilars, compared to 58 per cent […]
It’s hard enough for plan members to understand how they can best use their benefits plans, particularly when they’re unaware of the details of the fees charged by service providers. Consider drug claims at a pharmacy. Many plan members aren’t aware that the cost includes an amount for the drug itself, a markup by the […]
High-price drugs accounted for 40 per cent of patented drug sales in 2016, compared to 7.6 per cent in 2006, according to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board’s 2016 annual report. The report, which was tabled by Minister of Health Ginette Petitpas Taylor last week, found the number of medicines in Canada with an annual […]
Seven years ago, sales of generic drugs were having a significant impact on drug plan costs. Those savings, however, are declining as overall pharmaceutical costs are climbing once more. Between 2010 and 2020, estimates suggest the demand for specialty drugs, including biologics, will grow by 600 per cent to more than $12 billion, according to […]
After having a chance to digest the parliamentary budget officer’s report projecting that a universal pharmacare program could represent $4.2 billion in savings for Canada, some believe it’s time to end the debate and take action. Elizabeth Kwan, a senior researcher at the Canadian Labour Congress, certainly believes so. “We need an all-out, all-Canadian effort to put […]
While a Patented Medicine Prices Review Board hearing panel has ordered Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. to lower the price of the drug Soliris, it has rejected a bid by the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association to make the company reimburse private payers for the overcharges. “Employers have borne the brunt of the overly high pricing, so […]
Sun Life Financial will be offering plan members on short- and long-term disability leave for depression or anxiety the chance to take part in a study on the impact of pharmacogenetic testing. The insurer is participating in a study that examines the effectiveness of the technology in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental […]
Ontario is joining Alberta and New Brunswick in making abortion pill Mifegymiso available at no cost to the public. The abortion pill first became available in Canada in January 2017 at a cost of about $300. This spring, the common drug review recommended public drug coverage for Mifegymiso. “We continue to make important progress helping women across […]
Quebec has reached an agreement with the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association to lower drug costs by $1.5 billion over five years, thereby putting an end to the province’s plans to issue tenders for generic drugs. The new agreement will take effect on Oct. 1, 2017, with costs savings coming from price discounts and the launch […]
Green Shield Canada is rolling out a new pharmacy rating system in October 2017. The insurer’s program will measure individual pharmacies’ performance and provide feedback to help them gain insight into what they’re already doing well and areas where there’s room for improvement, according to a news release. Green Shield will supply all pharmacies across the […]