Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Innovation

Canada is facing one of the highest growth rates for drug costs among developed nations. As a result, cost is the primary factor leading public policy decisions for drug insurance programs. Researchers in this unit will conduct studies to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of prescription drugs in tandem with cost-effectiveness. Their studies will help provide an evidence-based platform upon which policy-makers can make rational decisions about drug plan coverage.

Leader:

Members:

  • Francis Lau, PhD
    University of Victoria
  • Stuart MacLeod, MD, PhD, FRCPC
    University of British Columbia
  • Malcolm Maclure, ScD
    University of Victoria
  • Rebecca Warburton, PhD
    University of British Columbia
  • Mark FitzGerald, MB, FRCPC
    University of British Columbia
  • Deborah Marshall, PhD
    McMaster University
  • Robert Prosser, PhD
    Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Sebastian Schneeweiss, MD
    Harvard School of Public Health

Canada is facing one of the highest growth rates for drug costs among developed nations. As a result, cost is the primary factor leading public policy decisions for drug insurance programs. Researchers in this unit will conduct studies to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of prescription drugs in tandem with cost-effectiveness. Their studies will help provide an evidence-based platform upon which policy-makers can make rational decisions about drug plan coverage.

New prescription medications have produced important health benefits, including better disease management and reduced need for some surgeries. But like many developed nations, Canada is facing a crisis in rising drug costs. In BC current Pharmacare costs of $110 million a year are increasing 16 per cent annually. Public demand and the supply of new drug therapies continue to grow but government funding for drug benefits insurance can no longer keep pace.

Cost concerns are now a primary driver of drug policy development in Canada. This has made it increasingly important for government drug plans to expand their focus to equally consider drug safety and effectiveness in policy decision making.

To address this issue, the Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Innovation (POPI) Research Unit at the University of BC will study drug effectiveness, safety and costs to provide decision makers with cost effective drug coverage strategies that produce the best health outcomes. Much of the work has a focus on pharmaceutical use by children and seniors, two populations particularly at risk for adverse drug reactions.

The POPI unit has access to the largest prescription database in Canada: BC’s PharmaNet system has captured all prescription drug purchases by BC residents since 1995, and can be linked to other databases with information on physician services, hospital care and vital statistics. POPI has three research themes:

Award term completed September 2009.