For Immediate Release
December 3, 2008

Patients applaud broadened access to key treatments in Ontario

Toronto, Ontario – – The Ontario Public Drug Program has taken a significant step forward in improving patient care in the province, said the Best Medicines Coalition reacting to news that the Ontario government will be reimbursing six new treatments effective today. The province announced that the Ontario Public Drug Program formulary will now include Enbrel and Raptiva for psoriasis, Lantus for diabetes, and Rasilez for hypertension. In addition, Orencia will be available for rheumatoid arthritis under the Exceptional Access Program, and Vectibix under the Cancer Care Ontario New Drug Funding Program.

“These are all much-needed treatments and we applaud Ontario Public Drug Program for listening to patients and investing in their health,” said Linda Wilhelm, chair of the Best Medicines Coalition.

“While there is still much work to be done in continuing reforms so that appropriate drugs are available in a timely and efficient manner, this is clearly a step in the right direction,” Wilhelm added.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, these changes to the Ontario Public Drug Program represent a $20 million investment. In addition, recently the Ontario Public Drug Program instituted a telephone request service for its Exceptional Access Program. The Best Medicines Coalition welcomed this innovation whereby physicians are able to have drug requests assessed and processed on the telephone facilitating faster consideration.

The BMC was formed in 2000 as a national broad-based alliance of organizations and individuals involved in issues related to drug review reform, drug access and health policy development. The members of the BMC represent Canadians living with or affected by chronic disease or illness.

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BMC chair Linda Wilhelm is available to offer a national perspective on relevant issues. Individual BMC members are also available to provide insights from a regional or provincial perspective.

For more information or to arrange an interview:

Paulette Eddy
paulette@bestmedicines.ca
T: 416-622-3893; C: 416-917-3338