Media Advisory: Best Medicines Coalition available to speak on pharmacare and patient access issues in advance of annual Health Ministers' meeting in Vancouver

Group Chair, Gail Attara, available for comment; announcing key principles regarding pharmacare for Canadians

VANCOUVER, Jan. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - The Best Medicines Coalition (BMC), a national alliance of patient advocacy organizations, will be announcing its key principles regarding pharmacare for all Canadians in advance of the annual Health Ministers' meeting on January 20-21, 2016 in Vancouver, and will be urging Ministers to put patient needs front and centre in discussions regarding pharmacare programs.

BMC Chair, Gail Attara, will be available for comment on key principles the BMC is asking governments to consider as they discuss pharmaceutical policy, representing the interests of 23 patient groups from across the country, including arthritis, gastrointestinal diseases, HIV/AIDs, cancer, and others.

In addition to her role with the BMC, Ms. Attara is a noted national health policy expert who co-authored an academic study on the impact of drug access policy changes on patients. She is the CEO of the Gastrointestinal Society, and is also a patient herself. Government, non-profit, media, medical, and corporate stakeholders regularly seek out Ms. Attara for consultations and speaking engagements from coast to coast.

Reporters are invited to contact the BMC for interviews and commentary on the Health Ministers' meeting and pharmacare programs.

WHAT:	Interview opportunity with Gail Attara, Chair of Best Medicines Coalition (BMC), and other BMC spokespersons across the country
WHEN:	The week of January 18, 2016, and throughout the Health Ministers' Meeting January 20-21, 2016
WHO:	Gail Attara, Chair, Best Medicines Coalition
	Ms. Attara is Vancouver-based. Other regional BMC spokespersons also available, upon request
HOW:	Please contact Hill+Knowlton Strategies to coordinate an interview with Ms. Attara

SOURCE Best Medicines Coalition

Melissa Lemberg, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Direct: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]