Canadian patients have less access to the latest medicines when compared to the world's developed countries, concludes a comprehensive new report released today. The Report shows Canada ranks 20th out of 25 OECD countries in public reimbursement of new drug therapies. Canada's grade of 56% is comparable with Iceland, Slovakia and Turkey. These are the key findings in the Rx&D International Report on Access to Medicines 2008-09 prepared by Wyatt Health Management.
"Federal and provincial governments in Canada have been working to improve access, but important gaps persist," said Russell Williams, President of Rx&D. "We want to work in partnership with governments, patients and health providers to close the access gaps identified in this Report so that Canadians who rely on public drug plans have access to the medications they need to live longer, healthier and more productive lives."
"Seniors and low income families who rely on public coverage in Canada are not getting access to the same choice of innovative drugs available to seniors in the U. S. and public drug plans in the overwhelming majority of European countries," said George Wyatt, President of Wyatt Health Management. "The Report raises several important questions, most notably: What does Canada need to do to expand drug coverage and better protect its citizens and residents?"
The Rx&D International Report on Access to Medicines 2008-09 examines public drug plans in 25 OECD countries. The Report builds on the findings of last year's Report and adds 7 new countries to the analysis. Findings include: