Report - LifeSciences BC

Recommendation Eleven:Given that BC was a lead jurisdiction incalling for the implementation of theCDR, action should be taken to:1. ensure BC's decision-makingprocesses include similar timelinesto those used by the CDR and agreater level of commitment toopenness and transparency; and2. that any unnecessary overlapbetween the CDR and BCformulary management systemare reduced to the fullest extentpossible.Issue Five: The effectiveness,transparency and future role of theTherapeutics Initiative in supporting thelisting process of drugs, or a more viable andcost-effective alternative.As will be evident from the section of thisreport dedicated to the identification ofproposed improvements to British Columbia'slisting process, the Task Force recommends thereplacement of the Therapeutics Initiative with anew process that would provide for a muchwider array of expertise to consider thetherapeutic value and cost-effectiveness of newdrug therapies (see: Recommendation Four,p.12). This approach, we believe, is viewed asbeing preferable to the option of endeavoring toinitiate a reform of the Therapeutics Initiative.The Therapeutics Initiative is regarded by mostwho participated in this process, other than thePSD leadership, as narrow, insular and resistantto meaningful stakeholder engagement.If, in the alternative, the Ministry of Healthelects to maintain the existing arrangement(s)substantial reforms will be required to addressthe need for mechanisms more appropriate tomodern concepts of governance andaccountability, the expansion of the scope ofexpertise available to the Therapeutics Initiativeand the elimination of direct engagement byTherapeutics Initiative members in the work ofthe Drug Benefit Committee.Furthermore, if the Therapeutics Initiativeis to continue it will be necessary to take stepsto provide it with a level of financial resourceappropriate to their continuing functions. TheTask Force would also recommend that theirpublic education role should be reassigned to33the new Drug Utilization Branch of the PSD.33Recent steps initiated by the Ministry of Health, (see “Province Promotes Best Practices for Drug Prescribing”, March25, 2008), are a positive step in this regard.THE REPORT OF PHARMACEUTICAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH 25 APRIL, 2008