The drug pipeline is full of new medications that may be more effective but may also be more expensive than existing treatments. Although they could significantly improve a benefits plan member’s health, they could also render a plan unaffordable. “Because drugs represent a significant portion of group insurance plan costs, plan sponsors are concerned about […]
The coronavirus pandemic and the changing environment have impacted pharmaceutical manufacturer-sponsored patient support programs. Manufacturers offer patient support programs to help individuals access their medication and navigate the health-care system, according to Sandra Anderson, senior vice-president of commercialization and strategy at Innomar Strategies, speaking during a session at Benefits Canada‘s Face to Face in Drug […]
A growing number of organizations are moving beyond compliance to foster diversity, equity and inclusion in their workplaces. According to research, companies that have embraced a DEI strategy improved their bottom line with a 53 per cent return on equity, a 42 per cent return on sales, in addition to being 70 per cent more […]
The coronavirus pandemic is demonstrating that pharmacists are a key health-care provider, with one study finding nearly 75 per cent of pharmacists have had patients who sought care at the pharmacy because they were afraid of going to any other health-care setting. A panel during Benefits Canada‘s Face to Face in Drug Plan Management Forum in […]
One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime and by age 40 about 50 per cent of the population will have or have had one. Mental illness includes conditions such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, which “can really affect the ability of an individual to function,” said Nida Mian, senior […]
In 2020, members of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association spent $650 million on drugs for rare diseases for more than 13,000 patients. Rare diseases affect one in 12 Canadians and between 6,000 and 8,000 rare diseases are known globally. In addition, roughly 80 per cent of these diseases occur in children and only […]
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has put a six-month pause on new regulations designed to lower the cost of patented medicines in Canada. Health Canada first announced in 2019 that the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board would change how it sets a price cap on medicines in Canada in an effort to lower excessively expensive […]
The Canadian Drug Insurance Pooling Corp.’s high-cost drug framework provided coverage to almost 28,000 Canadians and their families where drug costs exceeded $10,000 annually in 2020. According to its results, the CDIPC estimated that its member insurance companies reimbursed claims associated with 54 new high-cost drugs including those for rare diseases. As well, based on past experience, […]
As inflation hits a record high in Canada, employers are helping workers weather the storm through various benefits and compensation offerings, according to several experts. In October, the Canadian inflation rate increased year over year by a record 4.7 per cent, the largest increase since February 2003, according to Statistics Canada. The Bank of Canada […]
A story looking at demand from employees for more comprehensive benefits offerings took the top spot over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Employees want more comprehensive benefits coverage: survey 2. Citigroup supporting employee wellness as return-to-office plans take shape 3. Manulife employee adopts 2 children with help from […]