Results of the Study on the Integration of Innovations – BIOQuébec Outlines a Framework for Action to Support Quebec’s Biopharmaceutical Innovations and Bolster Quebec’s Autonomy
Bromont (Québec), April 21 2022 — BIOQuébec is pleased to be releasing the results of a study on the integration of Quebec innovations into our healthcare system. It is also suggests courses of action to better support Quebec-based biopharmaceutical innovations during the entire process and strengthen Quebec’s autonomy.
“The innovations generated by Quebec’s biopharmaceutical industry must be integrated into our healthcare system, first so that patients can benefit from them and then to allow businesses to develop fully and create wealth here in Quebec.”
While Quebec has a rich history and vibrant tradition of biopharmaceutical research and development, come members are currently experiencing, or have in the past, difficulties in getting their innovations integrated into Quebec’s system.
BIOQuébec commissioned Alain Dubuc, a renowned economist, and Bernard Lachapelle, President of The JBL Group, to measure the rate of integration of Quebec-based innovations into the healthcare system. This process highlighted the fact that there was no data on the subject. The first component of this study is, therefore, to provide such data. The second issue revealed by the study was the lack of a definition of a Quebec-based biopharmaceutical innovation. As such, we had to create one. The insights we gained from this study served as a basis for a new framework of action to improve Quebec-based biopharmaceutical innovations’ access to the healthcare system and support our companies’ growth.
FINDINGS
In general, Quebec is stricter and more restrictive in integrating biopharmaceutical innovations, which suggests that Quebec’s assessment system is less welcoming and more restrictive than those of other Canadian provinces. However, there is no special consideration, either favourable or unfavourable, given to Quebec-based innovations.
BIOQuébec’s study was designed as a constructive exercise to open discussion channels between the provincial system’s various stakeholders. During the process, BIOQuébec met with the INESSS (4 meetings), the Bureau de l’Innovation (4 meetings), the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (2 meetings) and representatives from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Economy and Innovation’s offices to present the results, share the findings, and open a dialogue on the framework for action which would improve the environment for integrating Quebec-based innovations and foster the growth of biopharmaceutical companies here in Quebec. We also met with other partners, namely Innovative Medicines Canada and shared the study’s results with MedTech Canada–Quebec.
BIOQuébec does not want to, nor did it, work in a silo on this issue.
“We acknowledge the open-mindedness of the various government representatives and all our life sciences industry colleagues that has led to constructive and positive discussions. Cooperation by all parties can be nothing but advantageous on all levels”
This report helps position BIOQuébec as a life sciences stakeholder that considers the entire ecosystem, both upstream and downstream of the innovation chain, and focuses on the optimal development of biopharmaceutical research in Quebec.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS…
Bridge the Gap with the Other Canadian Provinces
Increasing Transparency and Collaboration
· Allow discussions between companies and the INESSS during the assessment period.
· Create an appeal process in the event of a rejection notice.
Reducing Rigidity and Time Frames
· The criteria written into the law no longer reflect today’s environment.
· Introduce more flexibility into the decision-making process – a review is necessary.
· A drug’s therapeutic value is a significant constraint that may prevent economic or sociological factors from being taken into account.
· Administrative rigidity: the INESSS requires randomized double-blind studies that have been accepted for publication before proceeding with an assessment, whereas studies done using artificial intelligence could be conducted quicker.
Redefining the Minister’s Role
· The Minister of Health’s occasional involvement could introduce a degree of flexibility into decision-making processes to take social acceptability into account and, in some cases, expedite access to drugs.
To Provide Even More Support for Quebec-Based Innovations
Creating an Observatory
· To continue the work started by this study – monitor innovation integration rates (Canada vs Quebec).
· The first component of a strong policy for helping Quebec-based biopharmaceutical innovations is to establish the definition of a Quebec-based innovation.
· To create a directory of companies that could be defined as being Quebec-based by the extent of their presence, serve to identify Quebec-based innovations, and monitor their progress.
Creating a Proactive Procurement Policy
· Contrary to a “lowest price” policy which is not an optimal solution, a proactive procurement policy would make more room for Quebec-based innovations.
Eliminating Silos
· Breaking down silos between the various government agencies would optimize the opportunities for Quebec-based innovations to develop.
Valuing Innovation with the Bureau de l’innovation
· When the Bureau de l’innovation was inaugurated, the government sent a clear message when it implemented the first iteration of the Life Sciences Strategy. However, this agency remains underutilized and could help change the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ culture.
Creating a Technology Showcase
· Technology showcases are a valuable way to show that the company that helped a business grow believes in the value of its technology.
· Validating innovations in a real healthcare setting is a vital component that can only occur if the healthcare system is open to testing and taking risks when it comes to innovation.
Expanding the INESSS’ Criteria
· Without affecting the scientific assessment criteria, some consideration should be given to developing policies that could give a certain advantage to Quebec-based innovations.
· Introducing the idea that the Quebec-based origin of a drug has a positive effect on the innovation system and the healthcare system and can therefore constitute a positive element that must be considered as part of the added value.
Granting Price Advantages
· In the same way Quebec supported innovation throughout the 2000s with its BAP-15- year protection policy, Quebec could consider a new BAP-Quebec policy, through which the Minister of Finance could compensate the Minister of Health and Social services for a Quebec-based innovation’s price difference.
Implementing an Alert Mechanism
· Ad hoc or discretionary measures on behalf of the government and the Minister of Health could be an appropriate way to show their desire to support Quebec-based innovations.
· Creating an alert mechanism to identify delays, bureaucratic red tape, anomalies, or injustices that could penalize a Quebec-based drug or innovation would allow for prompt action to be taken to correct the situation.
Supporting Research by Providing Access to Data
· In the same way a technology showcase can help a Quebec-based business, having access to data for research purposes and to validate proof of concepts is also fundamentally important to a Quebec-based business.