A Better Prescription: Advice for a National Strategy on Pharmaceutical Policy in Canada

Abstract

Canada needs a national strategy to fulfill its obligation to ensure universal access to necessary healthcare, including prescription drugs. A 2004 attempt at a national strategy for pharmaceutical policy failed because it lacked clear vision, logical planning and commitment from federal and provincial governments. The result of uncoordinated pharmaceutical policies in Canada has been more than a decade of poor system performance. In this essay, we present a framework for a renewed national strategy for pharmaceutical policy. Building on published research and international frameworks, we propose that pharmaceutical policies of federal, provincial and territorial HEALTHCARE POLICY Vol.12 No.1, 2016 [19] governments be coordinated around a core health-focused goal. We strongly suggest policy actions be taken on four core objectives that are necessary to support the overarching health goal. If implemented, the proposed strategy would offer clear benefits to all Canadians who use medicines, federal and provincial governments and to the economy as a whole. We therefore argue that political leadership is now needed to articulate and implement such a plan on behalf of Canadians. RésuméLe Canada doit se doter d' une stratégie nationale afin de respecter son obligation d' assurer un accès universel aux services de santé nécessaires, notamment les médicaments sur ordonnance. La tentative de 2004 en ce sens a connu l'échec en raison d' un manque de vision claire, de planification logique et d' engagement de la part des gouvernements provinciaux et fédéral. Le manque de coordination des politiques relatives aux produits pharmaceutiques au Canada a donné lieu à plus d' une décennie de faible rendement pour le système. Dans cet essai, nous proposons un cadre de travail pour le renouvellement de la stratégie nationale relative aux produits pharmaceutiques. À la lumière de recherches publiées et de cadres de travail internationaux, nous proposons que les politiques des gouvernements provinciaux, territoriaux et fédéral s' articulent autour d' un objectif de santé commun. Nous suggérons fortement que l' action politique porte sur quatre objectifs clés, nécessaires pour appuyer l' objectif de santé commun. Si elle était mise en oeuvre, la stratégie proposée se traduirait par de réels avantages pour les Canadiens qui prennent des médicaments, pour les gouvernements provinciaux et fédéral ainsi que pour l' ensemble de l'économie du pays. Nous affirmons donc, pour le bien-être des Canadiens, qu'il est temps de mettre en place le leadership politique nécessaire pour articuler et mettre en oeuvre un tel plan.

Estimated effects of adding universal public coverage of an essential medicines list to existing public drug plans in Canada

“…14 These commissions, and more recent bodies of evi dence, suggest that implementing universal public drug coverage that is both comprehensive and evidence based would be the best way to ensure the accessibility, affordability and appropriateness of medicine use in Canada. 15 But a variety of factors have stalled prog ress toward such universal pharmacare. 16 Practical considerations are among obstacles to reform.…”

Healing an ailing pharmaceutical system: prescription for reform for United States and Canada

“…High out-of-pocket costs leave millions unable to fill prescriptions141518 and drive many into bankruptcy 1920. In the US an estimated 28 million people remain uninsured for healthcare,21 while 3.5 million in Canada lack drug coverage 14…”

“…Canada already has a single payer system but it would still require reforms because the system fully covers hospital and doctors’ services but not drugs out of hospital 1415…”

New Public Governance in health care: Health Technology Assessment for Canadian pharmaceuticals

“…Provincial and federal governments have worked to reduce duplication of HTA processes. Because Canada spends more per capita on pharmaceuticals “than any comparable country with a universal healthcare system” (Morgan et al ), the motivation for governments to cooperate is high. Nevertheless, HTA is a blunt tool for cost containment.…”