Drug System Reforms
- Best Medicines Coalition
- Toronto Star : Jim Coyle
- Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Business News Network
- Toronto Star : David Olive
- The Globe and Mail : Report on Business
Quotes
- Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)
- Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. (CLHIA)
- OPSEU
- Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)
- SEIU Canada>
- Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan
- Ontario Nurses Association (ONA)
- Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA)
- Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D)
- Aon Consulting Canada
Quotes
Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)
"Lowering the cost of all prescription drugs is a major priority for our members, regardless of whether they are covered by the Ontario government, private drug plans or paid out of their own pockets. They and all Ontarians will benefit from the direct savings in drug costs and redirection of the public savings from these measures towards more patient services and support of pharmacies in rural and under-serviced regions. We welcome the improvement to affordability and potential for more access to new drugs and will encourage similar measures in the rest of the provinces."
– Susan Eng, Vice President, Advocacy of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons
Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. (CLHIA)
"We are very pleased with the government's announcement that they are reducing prices for generic drugs across the board, and moving towards equality for all Ontarians."
– Frank Swedlove, President of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association
"It's about time Ontario turns its attention to areas within the health system where public money is being inefficiently turned into private profits."
–
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the 130,000-member Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)
"Finally, a government that is willing to take on the drug companies and big pharmacies. This is a gutsy move that is going to reduce the cost of drugs, save jobs and produce better health outcomes."
– Sid Ryan, President, Ontario Federation of Labour
"It took political courage to stare down drug companies and big box pharmacy chains. But the result is savings for taxpayers and members of drug benefit plans, plus better value for patients,"
– Sharleen Stewart, head of SEIU Canada
Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan
"Today's announcement is welcome news. It means we'll be able to give our plan members, the education employees of Ontario, access to more drugs and better health services. We're going to use any money we gain from improved generic pricing to maintain or enhance our drug plan and increase our investment in health promotion."
– Vic Medland, President of Group Insurance Services, Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan
Ontario Nurses Association (ONA)
“Front-line registered nurses certainly share the government’s concern about the rising costs of pharmaceuticals, which have been consuming a large portion of precious health-care system dollars,”
- Linda Haslam-Stroud, President, Ontario Nurses Association
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA)
"Over the past several years, health insurance costs for Ontario's automakers have been one of the fastest rising costs of doing business. The announcement by the Government of Ontario is welcome news for Ontario employers seeking to enhance their competitiveness and manage rapidly rising drug costs within employer-sponsored benefit plans."
– Mark Nantais, President, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D)
"We support the government's policy goals to improve the health of Ontarians through timely access to innovative medicines and vaccines that improve and save lives."
– Russell Williams, President of Rx&D
"With patents of major brand names, such as Lipitor, expiring in the near future, the legislative change we see today spells substantial, cumulative savings for employers. This presents an ideal opportunity to explore how to best maximize these savings within an integrated approach to cost management via innovative, holistic, value for money (return) based employee wellness programs."
– Martin Chung, Vice President at Aon Consulting
For More Information
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline at 1-866-532-3161
TTY 1-800-387-5559.
In Toronto, TTY 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
If you are a member of the media, call Communications and Information Branch at 416-314-6197, go to http://drugreforms.mohmedia.ca/ or visit our News Room section.
