Health committee  There are, of course, many different pharmaceuticals available, depending on the condition. Sometimes it's the difference between a generic and a brand-name medicine. I think it's the intention of the panel to move the generic medicines into a public system, and perhaps not retai

Health committee  Thank you. The two ends of the spectrum really were of central concern to the panel. We need to provide those necessary medicines through a basic list in the first instance, which would deal with many of those chronic and pervasive conditions and relieve the pressure on Canadian

Health committee  That's exactly right.

Health committee  I believe so. The fact that Canada is an outlier in this area has to be of some significance. Other countries wouldn't have adopted universal public coverage if the health outcomes were lower and if the costs were higher. Canada, being a highly decentralized country with health r

Health committee  I was actually going to invite Jean-Pierre to speak, if I could, and then I'll speak second.

Health committee  Sure. We looked at this largely in a comparative perspective, as to what it costs to receive comparable coverage in other countries with universal health care. As you're well aware, there aren't any solid numbers in Canada because there hasn't been a determination as to what the

Health committee  Certainly, the panellists were very sensitive to these costs. To be clear, their intent was to cover everyone but not to cover everything. That's where the role of an evidence-based national formulary is essential, to identify those medicines that are deemed to be both effective

Health committee  There's no question that many members of the panel thought that it would be advantageous to look at a system of copayments. That was really a values-based gesture, believing that everyone who can ought to contribute more directly to the cost of their care. Nevertheless, the panel

Health committee  We didn't look at the exact agency, but I think the panel endorsed the idea of an arm's-length relationship. They really want this to be an evidence-based exercise, and they want to preserve a role for citizens only.

Health committee  You've got it. Exactly.

Health committee  It's important to be clear that we're not talking about preferential access, nor are we talking about any barrier to required or necessary medicines for those on public insurance. What we're talking about, as one example, is the difference between a generic and a national brand m

Health committee  I would refer you to the generic manufacturers industry association, which I know has extensive studies that can answer your question more conclusively.

Health committee  I want to be careful in not speaking beyond the text of their report. My understanding of their intentions was that improving health outcomes and addressing fiscal inequities for Canadians probably superseded other concerns.

Health committee  Thank you. That's an excellent question. It was not the intent of the reference panel to see that all available drugs would be covered through a national formulary. Those that were evidence based and judged to offer the best course of treatment at a reasonable price are those t

Health committee  I don't think the two concepts are in any way mutually exclusive. We can look to many other countries that have robust systems of publicly funded prescription medicines but that also have supplemental drug insurance, much as we have, still with a robust medicare system in this co