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Disease and Disability Coalition Applauds Increasing Role of Patients in Ontario’s Drug System

Toronto, ON– April 13, 2006 – Best Medicines Coalition, an organization representing a broad base of disease and disability groups across Canada, applauds the sweeping legislative and policy reforms proposed for Ontario's drug system. At a speech made today, the Honourable George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-term Care, announced plans to develop a stronger, more efficient and transparent system that enhances access to medications for Ontarians.

In comments made during Minister Smitherman’s press briefing, Louise Binder, Chair of Best Medicines Coalition (BMC) and the Canadian Action Treatment Council (CTAC), congratulated the Minister on the direction his reforms are taking.

“These reforms indicate that patient voices have certainly been heard. Directionally, they do appear to provide faster access to safe and effective treatments for patients and create a more transparent system,” said Binder. “However, while the proposed changes are encouraging, we need to reserve our final judgment on their benefits for patients until they have been implemented. The devil is in the details and until we see the changes rolled out, we cannot predict their true impact.”

BMC supports the new process for the rapid review of breakthrough drugs, the creation of a new Executive Officer position to expedite listing reviews who will work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure a more accountable system, and the removal of unnecessary paperwork for doctors to get medications for their patients.

“We are particularly pleased to see that the Ministry has no plans to move to reference-based pricing or a similar program,” continued Binder. “We are also encouraged by the creation of the Committee to Evaluate Drugs. The inclusion on the Committee of two patients as equal members is a step towards a more collaborative and transparent partnership. In our view, to be effective, these patients must be accountable to their own groups as well as the broader disease and disability community.”

BMC is also pleased to learn that the government will be seeking innovative pricing arrangements with drug manufacturers that will permit significant reinvestment into the drug budget.

The Best Medicines Coalition is an alliance of representatives from a broad base of organizations and Canadians concerned about effective health care. The group believes the safe, timely and equitable access to the best evidence-based medicines is a key component of effective health-care treatment and prevention for all Canadians.