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ARTICLE · 20 APRIL 2022

Canada's PMPRB: Reference-based Pricing Here To Stay

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After multiple delays in the implementation of amendments to Canada's Patented Medicines Regulations, the Minister of Health announced that the new basket of comparator countries and...

CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Teresa Reguly
Teresa Reguly
Eileen McMahon
Eileen McMahon
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After multiple delays in the implementation of amendments to Canada's Patented Medicines Regulations, the Minister of Health announced that the new basket of comparator countries and reduced reporting for patented medicines at lowest risk of excessive pricing will be formally published in Canada Gazette in late spring 2022, and come into force on July 1, 2022. Gone are the amendments that would have required rights holders to report third-party rebates. Also gone are the new price (economic) regulatory factors.

What you need to know

  • This announcement makes clear that reference-based pricing for patented medicines is here to stay in Canada.
  • The current basket of comparator countries, PMPRB7, will become PMPRB11, as of July 1, 2022. Notably, PMPRB11 does not include the United States or Switzerland.
    • PMPRB7 countries are France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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