ARCHIVED - Pharmaceuticals Management

Pharmaceuticals may contribute positively or negatively to individual health, depending on the way in which they are prescribed and used. At the same time, rising drug costs have possible implications for the long-term sustainability of the health care system in Canada.

Pharmaceuticals management seeks to ensure that pharmaceuticals are made available, prescribed and used in the most appropriate and cost-effective manner possible. In both the 2000 Communiqué on Health and the 2003 Accord on Health Care Renewal, First Ministers identified pharmaceuticals management as a priority for health care renewal.

In September 2004, First Ministers affirmed their commitment to a range of pharmaceuticals management actions under the National Pharmaceutical Strategy, a part of the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care.

This section outlines a number of initiatives and activities related to optimizing pharmaceuticals management in Canada.