Improving trends in prescription drug costs; Quebec adopts Act regarding voluntary retirement savings

These are among the subjects included in the current issue of the Morneau Shepell News & Views, a monthly publication dedicated to providing insights to its clients in Canada

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell examines a series of regulatory issues in the current issue of its newsletter, News & Views.

• A LULL FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE PLANS - Growth in pharmaceutical spending has been slowing since 2010, with a noticeable drop in 2011 and 2012. This is due to the introduction of a myriad of lower-cost generic products.  Several factors, however, can influence the impact on a given plan.
• SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS BAN ON PHARMACIES SELLING PRIVATE LABEL GENERIC DRUGS - The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in late November 2013 that Ontario's restriction on pharmacy chains selling their own private label generic drugs is valid.
• QUEBEC'S ACT RESPECTING VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS IS ADOPTED - On December 3, 2013, the Quebec National Assembly adopted the Act respecting voluntary retirement savings plans (VRSP). To this date, the federal government and those of Saskatchewan and Alberta have adopted legislation allowing the creation of Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs), while those of British-Columbia and Nova Scotia have shown some interest in PRPPs.
• MARKET INDICES - Monthly summary of returns from various market indices such as the TSX Group / PC Bond Indices and Canadian, U.S. and Foreign Equity Indices. Also includes returns from benchmark portfolios used by pension funds.
• TRACKING THE FUNDED STATUS OF DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS - Impact of past returns on plan assets and the effect of interest rate changes on solvency liabilities.
• IMPACT ON PENSION EXPENSE UNDER INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING - Expense impact for a typical defined benefit pension plan.

About Morneau Shepell Inc.
Morneau Shepell is the largest company in Canada offering human resources consulting and outsourcing services. The Company is the leading provider of Employee and Family Assistance Programs, as well as the largest administrator of retirement and benefits plans. Through health and productivity, administrative, and retirement solutions, Morneau Shepell helps clients reduce costs, increase employee productivity, and improve their competitive position. Established in 1966, Morneau Shepell serves more than 8,000 clients, ranging from small businesses to some of the largest corporations and associations in North America. With approximately 3,300 employees in offices across North America, Morneau Shepell provides services to organizations across Canada, in the United States, and around the globe. Morneau Shepell is a publicly-traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.

SOURCE: Morneau Shepell Inc.

Nathan Gibson
Corporate Communications
416-390-2641
[email protected]