In a recent update released to their website, the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) announced 2 significant developments:
- The Federal Drug Plans are now participating in the pCPA; and
- The Office of the pCPA (the Office) is now fully staffed.
On January 19, 2016 the Government of Canada issued a News Release announcing their intentions that Canada’s federal drug plans will join the pCPA. The federal government coordinates benefits for specific populations including First Nations and Inuit, the RCMP, the Canadian Forces, veterans, federal inmates and refugee protection claimants. Their drug spending in 2014 totaled $630 million. According to the pCPA update, the Federal Drug Plans will participate in both Brand and Generic efforts by the pCPA.
Resultant of recommendations issued by IBM Canada Ltd after a review of international best practices and consultation with internal and external stakeholders, the Office of the pCPA has been created, operationalized, and is now fully staffed. The Office team includes:
- Imran Ali (Senior Manager)
- Anchalee Srisombun (Senior Negotiatior)
- Sang Mi Lee (Senior Pharmacist)
- Dan Sing (Senior Economist)
- Nessa Podkoscielny (Negotiations Consultant)