Posted by Michael Wonder on 12 Aug 2020
Rare disease drugs strategy, standard coverage in CLHIA’s 2020 budget wish list
12 August 2020 - The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is recommending the federal government develop a strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases, potentially by harmonising catastrophic drug coverage across the country.
In its August federal budget submission to the standing committee on finance, the association noted specialty drugs, including those for chronic and rare disease, made up just two per cent of total prescription claims, but 33 per cent of total costs, in 2018.
“High-cost drugs are a challenging and evolving class of prescription medications. Their unique characteristics and high costs may require a separate strategy around coverage to ensure Canadians have access,” wrote the CLHIA, adding it commended the government’s $500-million commitment in its 2019 budget toward funding for high-cost drugs for rare diseases.
