As the drug plan landscape evolves, the nuanced tension between cost management and the imperative to support employee health continues, according to a panel of experts discussing Benefits Canada’s inaugural Drug Plan Opinion Survey during the 2025 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. The survey, which polled 124 Canadian plan sponsors with at least […]
As Canada navigates the evolving drug coverage landscape, private drug plans remain a cornerstone of access, innovation and economic growth. Indeed, private drug plans are more than just a benefit for employees; they’re a critical driver for the Canadian health-care system and the economy, according to Joe Farago, executive director of market access and interim […]
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 […]
A single drug can be approved for multiple conditions, but each new use requires its own clinical trials and regulatory approval, even if the drug is already approved for other indications, according to Suzanne Lepage, a private health plan strategist, during a session supported by Novo Nordisk at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Face to Face Drug […]
Pharmacy benefit managers in Canada have undergone a significant transformation over the years, said Akhil Pandit Pautra, senior manager of clinical services, health claims administration and fraud, waste and abuse at Express Scripts Canada, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. The role has evolved from the early […]
“Immunization is one of the best investments money can buy, according to the World Health Organization,” said Johnny Ma, president at Mapol Inc., during a session supported by GSK, Merck and Pfizer Canada during Benefits Canada’s 2025 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. Canadian data shows vaccines can save $2.5 billion a year in […]
Although many medications may seem alike, in the management of chronic conditions, it’s crucial to have access to a broad selection of treatment options to achieve the most favourable outcomes for patients, since each medication can serve a distinct and important purpose for different individuals, according to Dr. Elizabeth Leroux, a faculty lecturer at McGill […]
For Jocelyn Laidlaw, a former anchor at CTV News, a sudden diagnosis of stage 3A metastatic colorectal cancer revealed not only the emotional toll of cancer but also the systemic gaps in Canadian health care and workplace benefits. Speaking during a session supported by AstraZeneca Canada at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Face to Face Drug Plan […]
As effective weight management drugs come to market, it’s time to move beyond outdated approaches to obesity care and towards holistic treatment strategies, said Marie-Hélène Dugal, national pharmacy strategy lead for Medavie Blue Cross, during Benefits Canada’s 2025 Toronto Benefits Summit. Obesity is a progressive, relapsing and complex chronic disease characterized by abnormal and excessive […]
An article on Canadian institutional investors’ potential overexposure to alternative assets was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Canadian pension funds could be overexposed in alternative assets: expert 2. Employees on LTD more likely to claim […]