Canadian Pharmacists Association reacts to Council of the Federation's announcements on health care

OTTAWA, July 26, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) today reacted favourably to the health care-related announcements made by the Council of the Federation (CoF) at the conclusion of its annual summer meetings.  The Council of the Federation is the body comprised of Canada's 13 provincial and territorial Premiers.  In January 2012, the CoF created the Health Care Innovation Working Group (HCIWG), Chaired by Premiers Wall (SK) and Ghiz (PEI) tasked with developing a pan-Canadian approach to specific health care reform topics.

In today's communiqué, the CoF made a number of announcements of relevance to the pharmacy sector.  Specifically, it stated:

• Agreements have been reached with suppliers to lower the price of 10 brand name drugs, with another 17 expected.  Together, these agreements are expected to result in savings of $60-$70 million.
• Premiers tasked the Health Care Innovation Working Group to "increase the important role that paramedics and pharmacists (emphasis added) can play in the provision of front line services", within a team-based model framework.
• Premiers Wall and Ghiz will be stepping down as Co-Chairs of the HCIWG, to be replaced by Premiers Wynne (Ontario), Redford (Alberta), and Pasloski (Yukon).  Premier Pasloski's involvement is key in that he is Canada's first pharmacist premier.

"We are very pleased that premiers have committed to continuing to look at ways in which pharmacists can play an even stronger role in the delivery of health care to Canadians," stated Sherry Peister, President of CPhA.  "CPhA, its provincial associations, and other pharmacy stakeholders look forward to continuing our joint work with provincial and territorial governments in this regard.  We are also happy to see Premier Pasloski's leadership added to the Health Care Innovation Working Group table ", she added.

"On the issue of brand name pricing, we would continue to strongly advocate that savings realized from lower pharmaceutical prices should be reinvested back into pharmacist-provided services, so that patients are the primary beneficiaries of these savings", said Perry Eisenschmid, Chief Executive Officer of CPhA.  "Pharmacists are ready, willing, and able to play a larger role in delivering accessible, quality care to Canadians".

The Canadian Pharmacists Association was founded in 1907 and is the national professional voluntary association providing leadership to pharmacists in all areas of practice.  Our members are active in community and hospital pharmacies, in long-term care facilities, home care, academia and industry.

SOURCE: Canadian Pharmacists Association

For further information:

Jeff Morrison, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs
613-291-9377 (phone)
[e-mail] (email)