Rx&D supports measures aimed at improving patient safety and appropriate use
of medicines
OTTAWA, Sept. 27 /CNW/ - The following is a statement by Russell Williams, President of Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D), on the release of the Health Council of Canada's report, "Decisions, Decisions: Family Doctors as Gatekeepers to Prescription Drugs and Diagnostic Imaging in Canada."
"In response to the Health Council of Canada's report, Canada's innovative pharmaceutical companies support recommendations aimed at improving patient safety and encouraging appropriate medication use including the adoption of electronic health records.
"New medicines and vaccines have made a huge difference in the lives of patients. For example earlier this month, Statistics Canada reported a 10% increase in patient survival rates for a number of cancers including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia and liver cancer during a period of just over a decade ending in 2006. New medicines also lower other health costs by reducing more expensive interventions like hospitalization and surgery.
"Our industry has always supported the view that patients and their physicians should be able to have access to the most appropriate treatment. Our member companies and their highly trained representatives have an important role to play along with governments and health professionals in providing evidence-based information about complex new medicines. We play an integral role in the health care system and curtailing that role will not improve outcomes.
"We find it hypocritical and unproductive that when responding to the Health Council Canada report, generic companies are complaining about drug prices when several studies including one by the HCC, have found that generic prices in Canada are among the highest in the world.
"Rx&D supports innovation and excellence in health care including the introduction of electronic health records and other measures to encourage optimal use of medicines. Our member companies collaborate with governments and health providers to reduce the human and economic costs of chronic disease and develop evidence-based Continuing Medical Education programs. We also work in partnership with governments, physicians, pharmacists and nurses through the "Knowledge is the best medicine" program (www.canadapharma.org/KnowledgeistheBestMedicine.aspx) to promote safe and appropriate medication use and healthy living."
About Rx&D
Rx&D is the association of leading research-based pharmaceutical companies dedicated to improving the health of Canadians through the discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines. Our community represents 15,000 men and women working for 50 member companies and invests more than $1 billion in research and development each year to fuel Canada's knowledge-based economy. Guided by our Code of Ethical Practices, our membership is committed to working in partnership with governments, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.
For further information:
François Lessard
Communications
Telephone: 613.236.0455
E-mail: [email protected]
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