Innovative Medicines Canada Responds to Ontario Budget

OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Further to the Government of Ontario's tabling of its Budget yesterday, Innovative Medicines Canada is encouraged that the budget is a step in the right direction to improving access to innovative medicines and vaccines for Ontarians.

In response to the Ontario 2016 Budget, Innovative Medicines Canada, the association representing innovative pharmaceutical companies in Canada, valued participating in consultations leading up to the budget and is pleased to see that its recommendation to increase access to vaccines was included in the 2016 budget.

"Innovative Medicines Canada commends the Government of Ontario on funding the shingles vaccine for Ontario seniors," said Russell Williams, President, Innovative Medicines Canada. "This will reduce emergency room visits and hospitalization."

Innovative Medicines Canada is also encouraged to see that approximately 170,000 more seniors will have access to the medicines they need, by increasing the income-eligibility thresholds for low-income seniors' benefit and making changes to co-payments and deductibles.

Innovative medicines are essential to the sustainability of Ontario's healthcare system and to innovation in the province. As the Ontario government consults on the redesign and modernization of its drug plan, the innovative pharmaceutical sector anticipates the opportunity to make significant contributions, with the best interest of patients as mutual objective.

"The redesign of the Ontario Public Drug Plan should aim to improve long-term sustainability of the plan while ensuring access to medicines for the people who need them," added Mr. Williams.  "We also look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration with the province towards a common vision for life science innovation for Ontario."

About Innovative Medicines Canada

Innovative Medicines Canada is the national voice of Canada's innovative pharmaceutical industry. We advocate for policies that enable the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and vaccines that improve the lives of all Canadians. We support our members' commitment to being valued partners in the Canadian healthcare system.

SOURCE Innovative Medicines Canada

Sarah Douglas, Media Relations, Telephone: [phone] extension 525, E-mail: [email protected]