- Canada and the U.S. are in a virtual tie for last place compared to the other countries on public spending on pharmaceuticals. - Canadians rely to a greater degree on private drug plans: 44.1% receive coverage from private plans compared to the 14.8% average of the other countries. - More Canadians are falling through the cracks in terms of access to drug plan coverage than any other country except the United States. 10% of Canadians, including many people in low-wage jobs, do not have access to any drug plan while in the U.S., the percentage is 15%. - Canadians pay higher than average out of pocket expenditures for drugs. Patient Access and choice of medicines: Where Patients in Canada Stand - In an analysis of 82 new drugs common to all jurisdictions studied, Canada's Common Drug Review (CDR) recommended only 56% of drugs submitted for review. This is far less than the 73% reimbursement average for the other countries. - By comparison Denmark, Germany, Finland, Great Britain, Norway, Portugal and the U.S. reimburse over 90% of these drugs. Biologics and "First in Class" - In biologic drugs, Canada ranks at the bottom with New Zealand, reimbursing just 35% of these treatments compared to the U.S. at 94%. Of the 24% drugs identified as First in Class: Canada was one of five countries reimbursing less than 50%. - This means for example that if patients have a rare disease, require enzyme replacement therapy or have Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, diabetes, cancer or another illness, they may not have the same access to appropriate care under a public plan in Canada compared to patients in other countries.

Patients Come First

To raise awareness of the Report's findings, Rx&D is launching an interactive website www.patientscomefirst. Patients, caregivers, their families and health providers can share their stories and propose solutions to broaden the range of treatment options for all Canadians regardless of level of income or where they may live.

"Our common goal is to improve patient outcomes and also make our health care system more sustainable," concluded Mr Williams. "New medicines and vaccines improve and save lives while reducing hospitalization, surgery and other health costs."

Why it Matters: The Value of Innovative Medicines

Innovative medicines are proven cost-savers as they help patients live longer, more productive lives; reduce costs related to employee absenteeism and disability; and lessen demand on other, more expensive areas of the health care system, such as hospital stays and surgeries. At the same time, industry investments into research and development of innovative new therapies create high quality jobs and help grow our economy.

Public drug plans were developed so that patients, seniors and lower income families could have access to the latest medicines and drug therapies for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, mental illness and other conditions.

Source: RX&D

Source: CNW SOCIAL MEDIA

Source: CANADA'S RESEARCH-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES (RX&D)