PMPRB Releases Discussion Guide for Consultations on its Excessive Price Guidelines

In late May, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (the "Board") released a Discussion Guide (the "Discussion Guide") for consultations on the Board's Excessive Price Guidelines (the "Guidelines"). The purpose of the Discussion Guide is to obtain feedback on specific issues arising from the Guidelines, including ideas on possible options for change. Written feedback is due no later than AUGUST 25, 2006. It is expected that the Board will conduct face to face consultations in November, 2006.

The Board is seeking input into three specific issues arising from the Guidelines, as follows:

The appropriateness of the current approach to the categorization of new patented medicines;

The appropriateness of the current approach used to review the introductory prices of new patented medicines; and