As there are reports on medicine sales, patients continue to face significant financial barriers while both public and private sectors propose new solutions.
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board's 2023 Annual Report, tabled by Federal Health Minister Mark Holland to the Senate and House of Commons on December 6, 2024, reveals detailed trends in Canada's patented medicine landscape. Sales of patented medicines reached $19.9 billion, representing 47% of total medicine sales, while research and development spending amounted to $1.07 billion, with a sales-to-R&D ratio of 3.7%. Canadian list prices for patented medicines were among the highest globally, ranking fourth in the OECD. The PMPRB reported 1,146 patented medicines, including 86 new ones, and accepted five voluntary undertakings to address pricing concerns.
In related news, Health Canada has announced a 2.7% adjustment to fees under the 2020 Fees in Respect of Drugs and Medical Devices Order, set to take effect April 1, 2025. This annual adjustment,required by subsection 30.61(1) of the Food and Drugs Act, reflects changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the past 12 months, as determined by Statistics Canada.
The impact of healthcare costs on patients is highlighted in a new Canadian Cancer Society report, which reveals that cancer patients face average lifetime expenses of nearly $33,000, including costs for medications, travel, and lost income during treatment. Several cancer patients shared their stories of spending $15,000 to $20,000 out of pocket for cancer-related expenses due to the limitation of provincial healthcare coverage.
While Canada's healthcare system covers the cost of surgery and chemotherapy, other expenses such as prescription drugs and travel for treatment are not fully funded, leaving patients with substantial financial burdens. The financial impact also extends to caregivers, with the total cost attributed to patients and caregivers estimated at $7.5 billion in 2024, representing 20% of the total cancer costs in the country.
Addressing healthcare access challenges, GreenShield, Canada's national non-profit health and benefits company, has released its Health Outcomes Report, "Measuring Better Health for All." The report highlights initiatives, including telemedicine resolving 92% of health issues in first appointments and addressing mental health, which accounts for 70% of workplace disability costs. The company announced plans to reinvest $75 million by 2025 to support over one million Canadians in areas like mental health and chronic disease management.
Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has introduced new legislation addressing public health and social challenges, particularly focusing on homeless encampments and public drug use. The plan includes stricter trespassing laws with fines up to $10,000 or six months in jail for public drug use, while also considering rehabilitation options for minor drug offences.
Ontario is also investing $75.5 million to support homelessness prevention and offer alternatives to encampments. This adds to the province's annual $700 million investment in homelessness programs and $378 million for 19 Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART)Hubs
However, critics, including Green Party leader Mike Schreiner, argue that housing, not fines or jail, is the solution to homelessness. Critics online are concerned that criminalizing addiction and homelessness will worsen people's struggles and hinder their chances for employment.
MPP Jessica Bell tweeted that the Conservatives are blaming the poor instead of investing in housing, addiction treatment, and healthcare. While, MPP Dr. Adil Shamji criticized Ford for creating a"park to prison pipeline," saying the plan to fine or imprison people in encampments won't help those struggling with homelessness, mental health, and addiction.
Community organizer Brandon Rhéal Amyot also criticized Ford's plan, calling it a mix of inadequate funding and punitive measures that would worsen the issues it aims to solve. He described the plan as “handcuffs instead of housing” and “handcuffs instead of harm reduction.”
As private sector initiatives like GreenShield work to improve access through digital solutions, debates persist about the most effective approaches to addressing healthcare and related social challenges. The contrast between rising healthcare costs and ongoing accessibility issues underscores the need for balanced, comprehensive solutions that consider both economic and social impacts.
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