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News Releases

21/09/2006

NPS Progress Report: First the report, now action! says Coalition

Ottawa, September 21, 2006 - Today’s release of the National Pharmaceuticals Strategy (NPS) progress report clearly shows the time has come for action on developing a pan-Canadian drug strategy for Canada. That is the conclusion of the Coalition for a Canadian Pharmaceutical Strategy, an alliance representing patients, health professionals, health system managers and trustees: the Best Medicines Coalition, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nurses Association, Canadian Pharmacists Association and Canadian Healthcare Association.

“The NPS Secretariat’s report was reviewed by the Council of the Federation last July and while we are pleased the report has been publicly released, clearly, after two years, the time for study is over,” said Dr. Colin McMillan, President of the Canadian Medical Association.

Other members of the Coalition for a Canadian Pharmaceutical Strategy agree and have expressed hope governments will now launch into action to deliver on the long awaited pan-Canadian strategy.

“Governments must immediately get on with the work to implement a coherent, holistic strategy that ensures all Canadians have access to safe, affordable and effective prescription drugs,” said Marlene Smadu, President of the Canadian Nurses Association. “The Coalition’s Framework released last July stated that all elements of the NPS need attention not just the five as currently chosen.”

In calling for action the Coalition reminds Canada’s leaders that the following key principles should frame any pharmaceutical strategy:

• Canadians, no matter where they live, have equitable access to prescription drug coverage.
  
• Decisions are patient-centered, taking account of the unique needs and therapeutic outcomes of individual patients and respecting the relationship between patients and their health care providers.
  
• All policy decisions, including drug approvals and program coverage, are based on an impartial review of the best available scientific evidence and on the adoption of best practices nationally and internationally.
  
• All initiatives are carefully assessed in accordance with a comprehensive evaluation strategy.
  
• Pharmaceuticals are evaluated, not in isolation, but as an integral part of the health system. They are assessed in the context of the overall burden of illness, and of their impact on direct and indirect illness costs and health system sustainability.
  
• Health care providers and health organizations have access to the knowledge and information necessary to facilitate optimal and appropriate pharmacotherapy.
  
• Appropriate use is made of the knowledge and skills of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers.
  
• The decision-making process is open, transparent and accountable, and incorporates the active, meaningful participation of health professionals, patients and other relevant stakeholders including public and private insurers.

“Canada urgently needs a strong pharmaceutical strategy to ensure that Canadians have access to safe, effective prescription drugs as an integral part of an efficient health system,” said Sharon Sholzberg-Gray, President and CEO of the Canadian Healthcare Association.

The Coalition also reiterated its pledge to work with governments and all other stakeholders to achieve this goal.

“Building a national strategy will require early, ongoing and meaningful consultation with all stakeholders, including health care providers and consumers and we stand ready to help,” said Brian Stowe, President of the Canadian Pharmacist’s Association. “We still await a commitment to an action plan with detailed timelines for the delivery on all the elements of the strategy.

The Coalition now awaits to hear from governments what next, concrete, steps will be taken to build the National Pharmaceuticals Strategy Canada so desperately needs.

“We truly look forward to seeing immediate progress and meaningful consultation towards a Canadian Pharmaceuticals Strategy for the benefit of all Canadians in the very near future,” said Louise Binder, Chair, Best Medicines Coalition.

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For further information:

• Paulette Eddy, Executive Director, Best Medicines Coalition, (416) 917-3338 or toll free 1-888-807-7904, paulette@bestmedicines.ca;
  
  
• Tina Grznar, Communications Specialist, Canadian Nurses Association, Mobile (613) 240-7830, tgrznar@cna-aiic.ca;
  
  
• Graeme Wilkes, Communications Advisor, Canadian Healthcare Association, Mobile: (613) 282-6003, gwilkes@cha.ca;
  
  
• Carole Lavigne, Manager, Media Relations, Canadian Medical Association, (613) 731-8610 or 1-800-663-7336 ext. 1266, carole.lavigne@cma.ca;
  
  
• Louise Crandall, Manager, Public Affairs, Canadian Pharmacists Association, (613) 523-7877 ext. 267, lcrandall@pharmacists.ca