Premiers' prescription good first step for Canadian health care system

- Canada's innovative pharmaceutical industry ready to do its part for Canadians -

OTTAWA, July 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Today's release of a new report entitled "From Innovation to Action" by the Council of the Federation (CoF) during their summer meeting in Halifax is welcomed by the members of Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D). 

"We support the general direction and focus on tangible action in this report and welcome the opportunity to partner with governments to develop enduring solutions to improve health outcomes for Canadians," stated Rx&D President Russell Williams from Halifax.  "Access to innovative medicines and vaccines has proven to deliver better health, better care and better value to Canadians." 

The new report stems from a six-month study undertaken by Premiers Robert Ghiz (Prince Edward Island) and Brad Wall (Saskatchewan) to deliver innovative solution suggestions for provincial and territorial adoption.  Included in the report are recommendations to address: 

• Better health human resource planning;
• Adoption of successful team-based models that utilize allied health professionals to the full scope of their respective professional competencies;
• Clinical practice guidelines for treating Canadians with heart disease and diabetes; and
• Joint purchasing strategies for pharmaceuticals.

"The innovative pharmaceutical sector has demonstrated the expertise and capacity to partner with governments especially in the prevention and management of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes," added Williams.  "Moreover, as all provinces are rightly focused on primary care reform and age-in-place strategies, better access and the appropriate use of new medicines, especially as a front-line intervention will become more prevalent.  Only by working together with government can we improve the health of Canadians and ensure our health system is sustainable for this and future generations." 

Rx&D also sounded a note of caution with respect to the procurement of medicines. 

"We are committed to work with all governments to improve access to medicines through innovative approaches.  We must ensure that Canadians and medical professionals have access to the most appropriate medicines and guard against practices that put cost containment ahead of patient health and safety. For example, we must heed the lessons learned from the recent drug shortages experience and ensure that the security of supply of medicines for Canadians is not compromised," concluded Williams. 

About Rx&D

Rx&D is the association of leading research-based pharmaceutical companies dedicated to improving the health of Canadians through the discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines. Our community represents 15,000 men and women working for 50 member companies and invests more than $1 billion in research and development each year to fuel Canada's knowledge-based economy.

Guided by our Code of Ethical Practices, our membership is committed to working in partnership with governments, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.

SOURCE: CANADA'S RESEARCH-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES (RX&D)