PMPRB – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:02:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 Highest-cost drugs reimbursed by Canadian public plans in 2021/22 were rare disease treatments: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/highest-cost-drugs-reimbursed-by-canadian-public-plans-in-2021-22-were-rare-disease-treatments-report/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:00:15 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=149971 The 10 highest-cost drugs reimbursed by public drug plans in Canada in the 2021/22 fiscal year were all rare disease treatments with annual treatment costs of more than $250,000, according to a new report by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. It found the increased use of high-cost drugs continued to be the main factor […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-53/ Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:00:53 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=143895 An article on the 2023 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey’s findings on plan members’ appreciation of health benefits was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. 72% of plan members appreciate health benefits more today than before pandemic: survey 2. 54% of benefits plan members currently live […]

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]]> PMPRB report shows increased plan costs, promising pharmaceutical innovation: expert https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/pmprb-report-shows-increased-plan-costs-promising-pharmaceutical-innovation-expert/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:00:50 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=143674 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 […]

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]]> Gene, cell therapies raising questions of drug cost responsibilities: expert https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/gene-cell-therapies-raising-questions-of-drug-cost-responsibilities-expert/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:00:30 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=141260 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. […]

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]]> 2023 Drug Plan Trends Report: How the repercussions of the pandemic are trickling down to drug plans https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/2023-drug-plan-trends-report-how-the-repercussions-of-the-pandemic-are-trickling-down-to-drug-plans/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 12:56:14 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=135012 As the coronavirus pandemic enters its fourth year, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the health crisis has taken its toll on employee mental health. Scotiabank saw a notable rise in claims for mental-health drugs in 2022, says Ayman Alvi, the bank’s vice-president of global pension and benefits, noting the increased use of these medications aligns with […]

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]]> High-cost medicines driving drug costs for public, private plans: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/high-cost-medicines-driving-drug-costs-for-public-private-plans-report/ Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:00:14 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=130310 The increasing use of high-cost medicines is the primary cost driver for all Canadian drug plans, according to a new report by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. It found drug costs for public plans rose by 5.3 per cent in 2019/20, with high-cost medicines accounting for 6.3 per cent of the increase. Among private […]

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]]> How PMPRB amendments could impact employers, drug plan design https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/how-pmprb-amendments-could-impact-employers-drug-plan-design/ Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:00:50 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=123274 The amendments to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board regulations are officially taking effect July 1, after being delayed multiple times. The changes, which were originally proposed in 2019, are the first significant update to the regulations in more than 30 years. After consulting with stakeholders, Health Canada will be moving forward with the implementation of […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits and pension stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-and-pension-stories-of-the-week-4/ Fri, 22 Apr 2022 13:00:26 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=119962 An announcement regarding long-awaited amendments to the Patented Medicines Review Board regulations was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. PMPRB drug pricing regulations officially coming into effect this July 2. Key stakeholders highlighting value of private payer health care amid plans for […]

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]]> 2022 Drug Plan Trends Report: High-cost drugs, DEI shaping drug plans https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/2022-drug-plan-trends-report-how-high-cost-drugs-dei-are-shaping-drug-plans/ Fri, 18 Mar 2022 12:55:41 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=118158 This month marks the second anniversary of the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a 24-month span that has had profound effects on the health of benefits plan members and the status and structure of their plans. For drug plans in particular, several trends have come to light — or have accelerated — during the course […]

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