CCHE Seminar Series: Pharmaceutical Pricing Reform in Canada: An Overview of the PMPRB’s New Price Review Process

Etienne Gaudette
Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, University of Toronto

Friday March 20, 2020, 10am-12pm, HSB 108 (155 College Street)

Abstract: In August 2019, the regulations governing the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) were modernized. Notably, the schedule of countries used for international price comparisons was reviewed and new factors were added to determine whether the price of medicines is excessive. These new factors include pharmacoeconomic value and the size of the market for medicines in Canada. In response to those changes, the PMPRB has been consulting on a revision of its guidelines since November 2019. The seminar will have two main objectives. First, it will provide a general overview of the new price review process proposed by the PMPRB’s draft guidelines in comparison with the existing process. Hypothetical case studies will illustrate possible impacts of the proposed changes for the Canadian pharmaceutical market. Second, the seminar will highlight areas of research that may be particularly relevant as the PMPRB finalizes its guidelines and policy changes are implemented.

Dr. Étienne Gaudette is a researcher interested in pharmaceutical pricing policy, health economics, access to care, and traumatic brain injury. He currently serves as a Senior Economic Analyst at the Canadian Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and an Assistant Professor (Status) at the University of Toronto Institute for Health Policy, Management and Economics. Dr. Gaudette’s research has been featured in JAMA Network Open, Value in Health, PharmacoEconomics, Medical Care, Medical Care Research and Review, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and PLoS ONE.