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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VICTORIA – A nine-member pharmaceutical task force will engage in an exploration of pharmaceutical policy to provide advice to government on how best to maximize value for patients and value for money as well as examine ways to continuously improve the pharmaceutical approval process.
“Since being elected in 2001, our government has been constantly improving our PharmaCare program through investment and innovation,” said Health Minister George Abbott. “Building upon advice and recommendations received from two auditor general reports, as well as a PharmaCare review in 2004, this task force will provide advice on a range of areas related to the pharmaceutical approval and purchasing processes.”
The task force is comprised of clinical professionals, academics, pharmaceutical industry leaders and government policy makers. The team has been asked to provide advice to government on how to:
o Achieve and maximize value for patients in procuring pharmaceuticals;
o Identify and strengthen patient care and choice;
o Optimize the decision-making process for what drugs are covered under PharmaCare;
o Improve the effectiveness of the Common Drug Review process; and
o Enhance the effectiveness, transparency and future role of the Therapeutics Initiative.
“It’s important we take an integrated approach to meeting this challenge,” said Don Avison, president of the University Presidents’ Council and chair of the pharmaceutical task force. “All members have extensive experience in their fields and have valuable ideas to bring to the discussion.”
The B.C. PharmaCare budget has increased by more than 57 per cent since 2001 and is expected to reach $1 billion this year. Government has also expanded PharmaNet into physicians’ offices and throughout B.C. hospitals. PharmaNet is an internationally recognized, secure electronic network that protects patients from potentially dangerous medication errors, duplications and dangerous combinations of different medications by linking prescriptions to a central database.
PharmaCare provides financial assistance to British Columbia residents for eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies. In 2003, government introduced Fair PharmaCare to ensure people who are least able to afford prescription drugs are assisted.
The task force has been asked to provide its advice by Jan. 31, 2008.
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Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 920-8500 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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