Health Canada has approved two generic versions of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medication Ozempic, a move that could ease cost pressures for employer-sponsored benefits plans. The introduction of generics is a key lever for controlling drug costs in both private and public plans, says Philippe Laplante, a principal at Eckler Ltd. “As a rule of […]
A new generation of ultra-high-cost therapies is reshaping benefits plan risk, while the arrival of generic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications is set to shift one of the largest drug categories, according to Telus Health’s annual drug report. The report found weight-management climbed six positions to rank No. 11 among all drug categories. The category […]
Weight management drugs and high-cost specialty treatments are expected to have the biggest impact on private drug plans this year, according to Telus Health’s annual drug pipeline report. It found spending on weight management drugs has more than quadrupled since 2021. In 2024, the category doubled in size following the launch of Wegovy (semaglutide) in […]
As dermatological treatments move up the ranking of conditions with the highest paid drug claims, they’ve become increasingly significant for private drug plan sponsors, according to Frances Lehun, a pharmacist with pharmaceutical expertise in high-cost drug management at Beneva. During a session at the 2025 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum, she said this […]
Weight management medications emerged as the fastest growing drug category in 2024, with claims for these drugs surging by 90.6 per cent since 2023, according to Telus Health’s annual drug report. The report, which is based on claims data from more than 15 million plan members in 2024, found the increase in claims was driven […]
As plan sponsors contend with high utilization of their drug plans and a host of costly new drugs coming to market, a variety of cost-containment measures can ensure plans remain sustainable while still supporting members. Plan sponsors’ annual drug plan spend has been steadily rising, said Martin Gascon, senior director of group benefits at Eckler […]
In 2023, diabetes medications remained the leading drug category for eligible private insurance claims for the second consecutive year, according to Telus Health’s annual drug trends report. The report, based on claims data from more than 15 million plan members in 2023, found the growing prevalence of diabetes, along with expanded heart failure treatment indications and […]
With chronic conditions growing in prevalence among plan members, plan sponsors have their work cut out for them in designing benefits plans that provide adequate health support and employee satisfaction while also being cost effective, said Marie-Hélène Dugal, manager of pharmacy benefit strategy for Medavie Blue Cross, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug […]
While medications for three interconnected chronic conditions — cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity — represent a growing proportion of employers’ drug spend, there’s plenty that can be done to help employees’ slow the progression of these conditions while managing drug plan costs, said Joyce Wong, director of clinical services at Express Scripts Canada, during Benefits […]
Despite the safety and efficacy of biosimilars — and the potential cost savings they offer — uptake among private payers has been low historically and is only starting to gain steam, said Neda Nasseri, pharmacist and private payer product director at Desjardins Insurance, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in December. The insurer first developed […]