New momentum for a pan-Canadian purchasing alliance for prescription drugs

摘要

Governments in Canada have been talking about it for years - the idea that provincial/territorial health ministries could lever their collective purchasing power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs in public plans. Despite the stated support for a pan-Canadian drug purchasing alliance, little has been done - but that appears to be changing. Canada's premiers agreed in early August to establish a pan-Canadian purchasing alliance to consolidate public-sector procurement of common drugs and medical supplies and equipment. Health ministers advanced the planning at a meeting in mid-September, agreeing that Ontario would take the lead in developing a strategy for drug purchases, while British Columbia would lead with respect to procurement of medical supplies and equipment.