Generic drug prices could drop – if rebates are replaced with public tendering
generic drugs
Generic drug prices in Alberta: a step in the right direction
Want to buy a $100 coffee? Sounds absurd, doesn’t it? However, it’s equally absurd that this is how much more Albertans pay for some generic drugs than people in other countries. Take, for instance, 20mg of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin. Albertans pay 90 cents for each tablet. In New Zealand, the government drug plan buys the …
Can Canada pay less for generic drugs?
Generic drugs may seem cheap, at least in comparison to brand name drugs. But Canadians pay more for generic drugs than people who live in many other countries. Last summer, the premiers of several provinces announced that they would attempt to take advantage of competition between generic manufacturers to drive down prices. The generic manufacturers’ …
Provinces must stand together on drug purchases
At the recent Council of the Federation meeting, Canadian provinces (except Quebec) announced that they will begin bulk-buying different generic drugs to reduce health care costs. They also flagged the need to both expand and accelerate group pricing on brand name pharmaceuticals. This is a long time coming and a step in the right direction. …
Healthcare cuts: lessons from pharmacy
If I harm a pt by making poor surgical decision for which evid was available to guide me;there is recourse. How is gov’t different? #onpoli — Dr. Shady Ashamalla (@AshamallaMD) June 1, 2012 Evidence-based policy. For those of us in the healthcare field, it resonates as an ideal. What better way to allocate resources than …
Medication shortages: how Ontario came to rely on one manufacturer
Concerns about quality and a fire at a Sandoz plant in Quebec exacerbated the current drug shortage in Canada. Many are asking why the shutdown of a single facility could threaten the nation’s supply of vital prescription medications. While federal and provincial governments have been eager to play the blame game, a shared sense of …