I think we all recognize that the price of drugs is a complex matter, and we are working hard to make sure we do all that we can to lower the price of drugs.
If we want to move forward with the national pharmacare program, we have to get it right and we have to lower drug prices. That's why we're still in the process of modernizing the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. That work is well under way, and there will be some announcements to be made.
The other thing as well is that I don't completely agree that we weren't able to lower the price of drugs, because by joining the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, we have actually saved more than $2 billion per year with respect to lowering the price of drugs. As we move forward with a national pharmacare program, the Canadian drug agency as well will have a significant role to play.
At this point in time, HESA members know more than I all of the intricacies of pharmacare, because you have done a study. When you realize that we have over 100,000 private drug plans in this country and many more through government, you'll see that it's very hard to negotiate drug prices. If we can put this together, get it right and get a national pharmacare program, I think there's going to be a cost saving for everyone here.