News Release
Discussions Focus on Direct and Indirect Payments From The Private Sector to Health Professionals
July 24, 2017 12:10 P.M.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario is consulting with patients, health care providers and the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries in order to increase openness and transparency for the people of Ontario regarding their health care.
Discussions have begun about current regulations and guidelines that govern the disclosure of payments from the private sector to health care professionals.
The goal of these discussions is to assess what additional measures are needed to increase transparency in health care, including, for example, publicly disclosing payments by private drug companies to health care providers.
Currently, there are restrictions on the types of benefits that can be received by health care providers, hospitals and researchers from the for-profit industry, but disclosure is not always mandatory.
The consultations are part of a broader effort to open up the health care system and make it more accountable and transparent, delivering on Ontario's commitment to Open Government and to becoming the most open and transparent government in Canada.
Ontario is increasing access to care, reducing wait times, and improving the patient experience through its Patients First Action Plan for Health Care and OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare - protecting health care today and into the future.
Quick Facts
- On June 20, 2017, 10 brand pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), released aggregate Canadian data that showed they paid nearly $50 million to Canadian health-care professionals and organizations last year.
- In the United States, Australia and some European countries, patients can go online to determine how much money their health care providers have received from pharmaceutical companies.
Additional Resources
Quotes
“Our government remains steadfast in our commitment to put patients at the centre of our health care system. One way of doing this is by further strengthening transparency across the health sector. I firmly believe our system is strongest when patients and the public have full access to all relevant and appropriate information so they can make informed decisions about their health care. I look forward to insight collected from the patients, the private sector and our health care partners to determine whether additional transparency is required.”
Dr. Eric Hoskins
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“Disclosure is essential to building trust and confidence in the healthcare system. Minister Hoskins is to be commended for following through on the government's commitment to transparency and consultation. We're optimistic the Ontario consultations will be the start of a made-in-Canada solution.”
Paul Lirette
President, GSK Canada
“We are pleased to participate in these consultations and look forward to continue engaging with the government to collaboratively explore transparency initiatives, while ensuring the growth of Ontario’s medical technology industry and increasing patient access to innovations.”
Brian Lewis
President and CEO, MEDEC
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