A recent report by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board shows increased growth for private drug plan costs but promising pharmaceutical innovation, says Joe Farago, executive director of private payers and investment at Innovative Medicines Canada. The report also found the number of new medicines launched in Canada was higher than the median for Organisation for […]
Sun Life Financial Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. for roughly $365 million. The insurer initially invested in the virtual-care platform in 2020 and subsequently expanded the relationship as a large shareholder and partner. Dialogue will maintain its head office in Montreal and will continue to operate as a […]
The growth of gene and cell therapies are raising significant questions among private payers about who bears the responsibility for the costs of these treatments, says Tim Clarke, president at TC Health Consulting Inc. “One issue is whether this is going to be paid for by public health or if it’s an employer health issue. […]
As technology advances and plan members’ needs become more diverse, the relationship between benefits plan sponsors and providers is adapting to fit these changes. Sarah Beech, chief executive officer of benefits and consulting at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., believes the trend of employees wanting more from their employers is the starting point for this […]
The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan has added a lead pharmacy consultant to its group life and disability claims team to assist in managing both early intervention and ongoing disability claims. The role, which was introduced in June 2021, creates a collaborative relationship between the pharmacist and the disability management team, providing further support for plan […]
Environmental, social and governance investment strategies can improve a portfolio’s ability to generate alpha, according to Patrick Vizzone, managing director of global private equity at Franklin Templeton, speaking during a session at the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2022 Investment Innovation Conference. “Impact investing is sometimes regarded as being a drag on financial returns, but we believe […]
The TD Bank Group’s innovative and engaging benefits communication strategy led to its win in the Benefits plan communications category at the 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. “It’s humbling and overwhelming to win this award,” says Darryl Burton, associate vice-president of Canadian and international benefits and well-being at TD. “When we’re trying to plan communications […]
On May 12, Benefits Canada hosted a webinar to discuss the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts during the coronavirus crisis, as well as some key policy issues for Canadian insurers and their potential impact from the private-payer perspective. Since the end of April, 139 coronavirus treatments have been under investigation and Health Canada has approved several clinical trials […]
While the OPSEU Pension Trust has been focused on responsible investing for some time, it’s bringing its sustainability activities to the next level with the introduction of a sustainable investing and innovation team. Launched in late 2019, the team’s responsibilities will include continuing to strengthen the organization’s traditional responsible investing activities. It will also have […]
By looking at what went wrong with financial innovations of the past, investors can learn how to protect themselves and look for opportunities going forward, said James Weatherall, professor of logic and the philosophy of science at the University of California, Irvine, speaking at Canadian Investment Review‘s 2019 Investment Innovation Conference in November. As an […]