1. Challenges and innovations: generic drug
pricing and availability
Jody Shkrobot, CPhA Past President
February 26, 2013
Canadian Pharmacists Association

2. Safe and effective medication distribution
systems need to be maintained
Manufacturer Wholesaler Pharmacy Patient
3rd Party
Insurer Payer Government

3. Generic drug prices are dropping; Revenues used to
support patient care activities are also dropping
Province Current Generic Drug Pricing Target Generic Drug Pricing*
British Columbia 35% of brand price 25% of brand price April 1, 2013
20% of brand price April 1, 2014
Alberta 35% of brand price
Saskatchewan 35% of brand price
Manitoba Estimated at 60% (but varies with UMA)
Ontario 25% of brand price
Quebec All generic drugs must be sold at the best available price in
Canada. However, first generic drug are reimbursed at 60% of
brand price. For a generic drug that has two manufactures,
the generic price is set at 54% of brand drug price.
New Brunswick 35% of brand price
Nova Scotia 35% of brand price
Prince Edward Island 35% of brand price
Newfoundland & Labrador 40% of brand price 35% of brand price by April 1, 2013
*As of April 1, 2013, the cost of 6 generic molecules will fall to 18% of brand price across the country (except Quebec)
** Source: CACDS provincial data compilation

4. At the same time, demands on the pharmacist
has increased

5. Key Take Away Messages
• Although lower generic pricing may improve financial access
to medications, the squeezed community pharmacy business
model is making it more difficult for pharmacists to provide
the necessary care to their patients
• Enhancements to medication management services will
promote better medication utilization and reduce errors,
resulting in better care to patients and reduced cost to the
health care system
• We need to look at the whole patient and the whole health
care system

6. Thank you
Canadian Pharmacists Association
www.pharmacists.ca
info@pharmacists.ca
1-613-523-7877