Feds looking for more transparency in drug pricing
Proposed pricing reforms put emphasis on clinical effectiveness and real-world outcomes (Issue #331, 1,200 words, 6 minutes)
Good morning, and welcome to the NPC Healthbiz Weekly e-newsletter from the National Pharmaceutical Congress and Chronicle Companies.
Canada is set to revise its drug pricing transparency regulations. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) will implement new guidelines, according to the Canadian Government’s website. Under PMPRB’s 2024-25 Departmental Plan, which emphasizes transparency and stakeholder engagement, pharma companies must follow fair processes for reporting and justifying drug prices. The law firm Fasken notes that these guidelines will establish a structured framework for price reviews based on international comparisons.
The PMPRB’s revised approach is notable for its increased focus on value-based pricing and the integration of real-world evidence into pricing decisions. Manufacturers are now required to provide more detailed economic evaluations and justification for pricing, especially for high-cost or specialty drugs. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, this aligns with the federal government’s broader strategy to ensure drug prices reflect their clinical value to patients and the healthcare system. It also brings Canadian pricing in line with international benchmarks.
Provincially, the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) plays a vital role in negotiating prices and increasing transparency for brand-name and generic drugs. The 2023–2026 pCPA agreement with the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association builds on the existing Tiered Pricing Framework. It mandates automatic price reductions for new single-source generics, which must drop to 55% of the brand reference price after three months of public funding.
Despite the initiatives, challenges persist in Canada’s drug reimbursement system. The Canadian Association of Professionals in Regulatory Affairs notes that adding new medicines to public drug plans remains lengthy and complex, with substantial delays stemming from both the Canadian Drug Agency and the pCPA review stages. These delays result in extended wait times for new drugs to become accessible to Canadians through public plans.
THIS WEEK 05/20/25
Lilly Canada announced tirzepatide injection (Mounjaro KwikPen) is now available in Canada to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.
Novartis Canada launched the second edition of the Health Equity Initiative, which will award $500,000 to non-profit projects focused on improving health equity and addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by underserved and marginalized populations.
The U.S. FDA approved AbbVie’s telisotuzumab vedotin-tllv (Emrelis) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with high c-Met protein overexpression who have received a prior systemic therapy.
The U.S. FDA approved Verastem Oncology’s avutometinib capsules and defactinib tablets (Avmapki Fakzynja Co-Pack) for the treatment of adult patients with KRAS-mutated recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer who received prior systemic therapy..
NOW, LISTEN UP: HERE’S BETTINA HAMELIN OF INNOVATIVE MEDICINES CANADA
In season 14 of the NPC Podcast, Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President of Innovative Medicines Canada, gives insights into adopting innovative technologies, the domestic supply chain for pharmaceuticals, and excluding medicines as retaliatory measures for tariffs. Hear her in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea, and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. You can listen to the podcast here.
Mark Nawacki
President
Searchlight Pharma Inc.
Westmount, Que.
Season 13, episode 07
Listen to this episode here
What bold predictions do you have for the life sciences industry during the coming 12 or 24 months?
I’m curious to see how far and profoundly AI will impact our companies. We already see it in drug development, but where else can we use it to improve our work? That will be interesting because a little common sense can go a long way.
Another area I’m watching closely, and where I’ve had some exposure through a couple of boards, is the use of psychedelics in mental health treatment. Pharma made a huge impact with the introduction of drugs like Prozac, which completely changed the landscape. But we haven’t solved the problem yet.
I think there’s a real opportunity to take the next step in addressing that enormous unmet need. It’s encouraging that society is starting to acknowledge this. I’m curious to see where it goes, especially with the volume of data expected from clinical development programs over the next year. So those are two things on my watch list.
Register now for the NPC Spring Webinar
The NPC Spring Webinar is part of an engaging webinar series that complements the National Pharmaceutical Congress.
This year's theme is “Points of Light in Pharma: Reasons for Optimism in Uncertain Times.”
In a time of political shifts, tariff uncertainty and global pressure, the Canadian life sciences sector continues to find reasons for optimism. From breakthroughs in gene therapy manufacturing to emerging collaborative frameworks, innovation is moving forward.
Join us for the NPC Spring Webinar 2025 as Dr. Jason Field from Life Sciences Ontario, Dr. Greg Patey of Blue Charm Adherence and other speakers to be announced share insights on how collaboration and resilience are helping shape the future of pharma in Canada. The moderators are Ben Parry of Pangaea Group and Mitch Shannon of Chronicle Companies.
Date: June 11, 2025
Time: 11 AM to 12 PM ET
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free of charge
Click here to register:
https://lnkd.in/ggQ7jviu
The NPC Spring Webinar is part of an engaging webinar series that complements the National Pharmaceutical Congress.
This year's theme is “Points of Light in Pharma: Reasons for Optimism in Uncertain Times.”
In a time of political shifts, tariff uncertainty and global pressure the Canadian life sciences sector continues to find reasons for optimism. From breakthroughs in gene therapy manufacturing to emerging collaborative frameworks innovation is moving forward.
Join us for the NPC Spring Webinar 2025 as Jason Field from Life Sciences Ontario and other speakers to be announced share insights on how collaboration and resilience are helping shape the future of pharma in Canada.
Date: June 11, 2025
Time: 11 AM to 12 PM ET
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free of charge
Click here to register:
https://lnkd.in/ggQ7jviu
What to Expect
* Gain insights from leaders driving innovation and progress in life sciences.
* Discover where the momentum is building and why it matters.
* Explore how policy shifts and collaboration are influencing the future of pharma in Canada.
* Gain insights from leaders driving innovation and progress in life sciences.
* Discover where the momentum is building and why it matters.
* Explore how policy shifts and collaboration are influencing the future of pharma in Canada.
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