PMPRB Report Confirms Need for a Refocus on Optimal Drug Therapy

April 1, 2015 (Ottawa): A study released yesterday by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) confirms what Canada’s front-line pharmacists have been witnessing for years - while governments are achieving their goal of reducing drug prices and increasing the utilization of lower cost generic drugs, these actions are not leading to an improvement in drug therapy quality or value for Canadians.

The PMPRB Report highlights while drug costs are declining, drug use is increasing significantly. Therefore, if we are going to improve health outcomes and control drug expenditures, we need to focus on issues of appropriateness, utilization, adherence, chronic disease management and improved inter-professional collaboration.

“The top priority for Canada’s pharmacists is providing quality care and ensuring patient safety,” stated Perry Eisenschmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA). “However, we are concerned that governments’ focus on reducing the drug cost component of expenditures is not addressing the key issue of concern to Canadians –improved health outcomes and the best value for limited health resources.”

Pharmacists can undertake a significant and effective role in achieving the triple aim objectives of better care, better health and better value. Evidence clearly shows that improved medication management services, inter-professional collaboration and providing pharmacists with the ability to practice to the full extent of their knowledge and skills are all integral to the goal of improving the quality of care and controlling drug costs. The Vision for Pharmacy’s “Vision for Optimal Drug Therapy,” which focuses on improving health outcomes for Canadians through patient-centred care, provides a clear road-map to achieving this important goal.

“Every day pharmacists directly contribute to the effectiveness of the health care system,” added Eisenschmid. “Be it reducing hospitalizations related to preventable adverse drug events, supporting Canadians taking prescription medication for their chronic diseases or preventing inappropriate use of medications, pharmacists are well-positioned to assist governments in addressing the key drivers of costs in health care.”

CPhA believes that achieving the goal of better care, better health and better value is possible; however, it requires enhanced collaboration. CPhA is committed to working with government and all key health care stakeholders toward a new vision for optimal drug therapy in Canada.

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For more information, please contact:

Jeff Morrison
Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs
613-523-7877, x386
jmorrison@pharmacists.ca