Canadian Leadership Council on Drug Plan Partnerships
May 7, 2025 | Vantage Venues, Toronto
May 7, 2025
8:00 – 9:00 AM:
Breakfast (Edinburgh Room)
9:00 – 9:05 AM:
Introduction (St. Andrew’s Hall)
Facilitators:
Francesca Allman, director of sales, Benefits Canada
Suzanne Lepage, private health plan strategist, Suzanne Lepage Consulting Inc.
9:05 – 9:30 AM:
Benefits Canada Drug Plan Opinion Survey interactive session
Benefits Canada’s inaugural Drug Plan Opinion Survey will offer valuable insights into how plan sponsors and advisors perceive drug plans and related industry and policy issues. In this interactive session, council members will discuss the core survey themes in groups and provide insight into what topics are of most interest to them and their clients.
Facilitator:
Suzanne Lepage, private health plan strategist, Suzanne Lepage Consulting Inc.
9:30 – 10:00 AM:
Pharmacy's perspective: Key trends in benefits and private payor health care
This session will offer an interactive discussion exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of pharmacy care. It will dive into key areas ripe for innovation and collaboration, sharing the latest insights on specialty drugs, electronic prior authorizations, delivery of care, disease management and more!
Speakers:
Karen Kesteris, vice-president, payor partnerships, Shoppers Drug Mart
Anu Sharda, senior director, strategic payor partnerships and growth, Shoppers Drug Mart
10:00 – 10:30 AM:
Journey of two patients with obesity
This session will explore the journeys of two patients with obesity as they navigate the health-care system to access anti-obesity medications. It will examine their experiences and discuss how access to these medications influence their health outcomes.
Speaker:
Dr. Sean Wharton, general internal medicine and obesity medicine practitioner, medical director, Wharton Medical Clinic
This session has been made possible by Novo Nordisk Canada.
10:30 – 10:45 AM:
Moderated discussion
Facilitator:
Suzanne Lepage, private health plan strategist, Suzanne Lepage Consulting Inc.
10:45 – 11:15 AM:
Networking break (St. Andrew’s Lounge)
11:15 AM – 12:45 PM:
The value of private payers in cancer care for working Canadians
The goal of the session is to highlight the gaps in access to cancer care for working Canadians and to discuss the valuable role that private payers can play. As cancer cases rise and increasingly impact younger populations of Canadian workers, this session will aim to highlight current provincial disparities and inequities, illustrate current barriers of accessing diagnostic testing and infused therapies and identify potential solutions to ensure timely access to treatment for cancer patients in the workplace.
Speakers:
Chris Bonnett, principal, H3 Consulting
Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley, senior practicing medical oncologist, Mount Sinai Hospital, and medical director, cancer program, Sinai Health System
Heather McDonald, vice-president, market access and pricing, AstraZeneca Canada
Alvina Nadeem, health-care consultant, patient advocate, Alvina N. Consulting
This session has been made possible by AstraZeneca Canada, GSK and Pfizer Canada.
12:45 – 1:45 PM:
Lunch (Edinburgh Room)
1:45 – 3:15 PM:
Understanding the value of Canada’s dual market system – both at home and globally
Private plans do more than offer valuable benefits to sponsors and members; they also make Canada a prime destination for launching innovative medicines, ensuring faster access to cutting-edge treatments. This session will explore how safeguarding Canada’s private market strengthens health-care access, enhances treatment options and fuels the broader pharmaceutical ecosystem. Don't miss this deep dive into why preserving this system is critical for the future of health care in Canada.
Speaker:
Berkeley Vincent, president, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
2025 IMC Private Drug Claims Cost Drivers report
Get key insights from the latest IMC Private Drug Claims Cost Drivers report, which breaks down the key cost trends affecting private drug plans across Canada. This data-driven session will highlight major cost drivers by age, therapeutic class, treatment category and more. This session will share insights for benefits managers, insurers and industry stakeholders to make informed, strategic decisions.
Speaker:
Brad Millson, general manager, real world solutions, IQVIA
Private and public policy impacts on private drug benefits: Navigating the shifts
In an environment of political uncertainty and evolving public and private policies impacting drug insurance in Canada, private drug coverage is at a crossroads. This session will unpack the key factors affecting comprehensive and timely access to medications and will explore potential areas of strategic collaboration to enhance sustainability while preserving high-quality coverage.
Speaker:
Joe Farago, executive director, private payers and investment, Innovative Medicines Canada
This session has been made possible by AbbVie, Amgen and Innovative Medicines Canada.
3:15 – 3:45 PM:
Discussion: Recommendations from council members
Facilitator:
Suzanne Lepage, private health plan strategist, Suzanne Lepage Consulting Inc.
3:45 – 4:00 PM:
Closing remarks
Facilitator:
Francesca Allman, director of sales, Benefits Canada
SPONSORS
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