Suzanne Lepage

Competition Bureau looking at protection strategies for biologics market

The Competition Bureau has discontinued an inquiry into allegations that Janssen Inc. inhibited the Canadian market for biosimilar products that compete with its biologic product Remicade. Given the significant impact of biologics in Canada, the report highlights some of the competition issues related to the biologics and biosimilars market. Although the bureau expressed concerns about the […]

  • March 1, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00

Is nudging biologic patients towards biosimilars a good choice?

A recent study examining the potential savings determined that, based on the uptake of available biosimilars in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, Canada could save between eight per cent and 43 per cent. Although Health Canada approved Inflectra, the first biosimilar for Remicade, in 2014 to treat a number of conditions, the drug […]

  • June 29, 2018 March 17, 2021
  • 08:52

What to do about biosimilars?

With a number of biologic drugs facing patent expiration, plan sponsors will have a lot to think about when it comes to considering how to deal with biosimilars. What are some of the considerations for their drug plans as they look at the issue in 2017? Regulatory issues As participants at Benefits Canada’s recent Face […]

  • January 17, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:58

What are the current drug plan trends in Canada?

Costs are increasing for drug plan sponsors…but not the ones you think.

  • April 1, 2015 September 13, 2019
  • 07:00

Managing the growing risk of opioid addictions

Stan* was a long-time employee at a major technical manufacturer in a safety-sensitive job. When a work injury required knee surgery, he was prescribed an opioid to deal with post-operative pain. He found that in addition to helping with the knee pain, his prescription also helped him cope with lingering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his military reserve experience. When he needed the medications long after the pain in his knee had subsided, his doctor stopped prescribing. Although Stan found another doctor, this new doctor also eventually refused to prescribe. When he couldn’t find a third doctor to prescribe, he turned to buying street drugs.

  • December 16, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 11:44

Pharma logic

Drug plan costs are an ongoing concern for Canadian employers. Benefits Canada’s Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in Vancouver shows how plan sponsors out west are managing them.

  • October 1, 2013 September 13, 2019
  • 07:00

Health check

Healthy employees can lead to a healthy—and wealthy—organization. At Benefits Canada’s Healthy Outcomes Conference in June, plan sponsors and industry experts came together to focus on connecting their bottom line with wellness and benefits programs.

  • September 1, 2013 September 13, 2019
  • 07:00

Helping employees with role overload

Employee role overload negatively impacts the organization's bottom line, and reducing this form of stress can yield the greatest bang for the buck for both employers and employees.

  • June 19, 2013 September 13, 2019
  • 10:27

Practical tips around changing drug plan design

Several large B.C. public sector unionized plans have recently bargained new drug plans that mimic BC PharmaCare coverage. While the net impact will take some time to assess, there are some considerations for plan sponsors contemplating similar changes.

  • May 28, 2013 September 13, 2019
  • 10:01

Changes in health benefits management

Every stakeholder involved in health benefits management is being impacted by change; however, with change, there are also opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.

  • April 22, 2013 September 13, 2019
  • 12:05