Advisory Committee provides advice and guidance to
enhance appropriate prescribing and use of prescription
medications in Canada
OTTAWA,
ON, July 26, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the
Government of Canada released the
final report from the Canadian Drug Agency Transition Office's
Appropriate Use Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) on the
appropriate use of medications. The report provides nine
recommendations, focused on five strategic priority areas and
includes a framework for Canada's
Drug Agency's (CDA-AMC) appropriate use program. These
recommendations will inform how to best develop and implement a
pan-Canadian strategy for the appropriate use of prescription
medications.
While medications are intended to improve the health of
patients, inappropriate prescribing and use of medications can have
a negative impact on patients and significant financial costs for
the health care system. If unchecked, inappropriate use can be
serious and lead to falls, fractures, memory impairment, loss of
autonomy, hospitalizations, and death.
Approximately 1.9 million Canadian seniors regularly use at
least one inappropriately prescribed medication. The inappropriate
use of prescription medications has an economic cost of
$419 million a year, rising to over
$1.4 billion when hospital visits and
the impacts of these other harms are included.
A national strategy to enhance appropriate prescribing and use
of medications will provide a common vision to support both
prescribers and patients, and help improve health outcomes for
Canadians. The Advisory Committee's report will guide the CDA-AMC
as it engages with provinces, territories, health care providers,
patients and other partners, to finalize the strategy, including
the development of tools, resources and recommendations for
prescribers and patients, and puts its new appropriate use program
in place.
The release of this report follows the December 2023 announcement on the creation
the CDA-AMC and the February 2024
introduction of Bill C-64 (An Act respecting
pharmacare) which is intended to guide ongoing efforts to
improve the universal and affordable access coverage for and
accessibility, affordability and appropriate use of prescription
drugs for all Canadians.
Quotes
"Prescription medications play an essential role in the health
of many Canadians. However, when inappropriately prescribed and
used, medications can have significant health and financial costs.
I would like to convey my appreciation to the Advisory Committee
for their work on this issue. Alongside our plan to move towards
national universal pharmacare, we will support developing a
pan-Canadian appropriate use program at Canada's Drug Agency, who will continue
working to improve health outcomes for Canadians."
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
"The appropriate use of prescription medications has the
potential to positively impact every health priority that federal,
provincial and territorial governments have agreed on tackling to
better serve people in Canada.
Given the health challenges that Canadians have faced over the past
few years, we owe it to them to address this issue. I would like to
thank every member of the Appropriate Use Advisory Committee for
their dedication and contribution to this important work."
Stephen Samis
Chair, Appropriate Use Advisory Committee
Quick Facts
- On June 18, 2024, Bill
C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare completed second reading in the
Senate. More information on the parliamentary progress for
this legislation can be found on the Parliament of
Canada website.
- The report contains nine recommendations addressed to the CDA
and appropriate use system partners focused on five strategic
priorities including: supporting for program design, implementation
and delivery; enhancing collaboration amongst system partners;
strengthening policy development and advice; bolstering research
and evaluation; and increasing access to and utilization of data
and technologies.
- The CDATO established an Advisory Committee in March 2023, to provide advice and guidance for
the development of a pan-Canadian Appropriate Use Strategy and a
corresponding program for the CDA-AMC that would enhance the
development of tools, resources, and guidance to support patients
and prescribers.
- The Advisory Committee is a multidisciplinary group, comprised
of representatives from appropriate use organizations (e.g.,
CDA-AMC, Choosing Wisely Canada, Canadian Medication
Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network) clinicians, patients,
and the public, who bring a diversity of expertise and perspectives
to the table. The Advisory Committee will sunset with the release
of their report.
Associated Links
- Appropriate Use Advisory Committee: Canadian Drug Agency
Transition Office
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)