PMPRB Revised Draft Guidelines: Ambiguity could further reduce availability of new medicines for Canadians
Ottawa, October 18, 2022 – Innovative Medicines Canada’s (IMC) initial interpretation of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board’s (PMPRB) revised draft Guidelines is that they will further reduce the availability of new medicines in Canada by exacerbating an already unpredictable regulatory environment.
A strong economy begins with healthy Canadians who can actively participate in it. A recent study into the health and economic impact of access to breakthrough cancer treatments by the Conference Board of Canada found that if patients had access to new medicines in the last decade, Canadian cancer patients could have lived up to an additional 226,445 years, a $5.9 billion in potential economic value.
Presently, only 18 per cent of new medicines launched globally are available to Canadians on public plans. IMC is concerned that if the draft Guidelines are finalized without significant changes, they will further reduce access to new medicines and treatments for Canadian patients.
IMC will assess the draft Guidelines in anticipation of submitting feedback and recommendations to the PMPRB as part of the current consultation ending on December 5, 2022.