So, I couldn't agree more with the pundits. Keep your eye on the prize #GoC and beware #PhRMA's influence over the upcoming CUSMA/USMCA negotiations.

But from #PhRMA's point of view, that still isn't good enough.

& if the USTR takes up their recommendations, they will be push to re-institute the US -- the country with the most exorbitant drug prices in the world -- back among the list of comparator countries enshrined in Canadian law.

Namely, we changed our list of comparator countries to remove the US & include much more reasonable comparators given our GDP and the relative absence of #BigPharma in Canada.

Further information on those reforms (or what was left of them) is here:

gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/202...

Fast forward to 2022 and many twists and turns later, only one part of those reforms remained. (For background, see my letter of resignation from the #PMPRB here: cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/...)

For those unfamiliar with those reforms, they began with a bold set of reforms that were introduced back in 2017 on the strength of the leadership of @janephilpott.bsky.social as Minister of Helath at the time.

gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/201...

In short, they don't think pharmaceutical innovation is "appropriately valued" in Canada, in part, because we have changed how we track the prices of patented drugs.

While PhRMA raises multiple points about Canada's approach #IP and market authorization, the crux of their stated concerns comes down to this:

#BigPharma via its trade associations (known as PhRMA in the US) is pushing for massive concessions and taking direct aim at multiple components of Canada's pharmaceutical policy landscape.

It's full letter to the US Trade Representative (USTR) is here:

cdn.aglty.io/phrma/global...

The US insists it's named the USMCA.

Whatever acronym is used, the stakes of the upcoming negotiations are very high given each country's current economic state + the uncertainty and chaos caused by #DonaldTrump's tariffs.

All of which is to say that it's hard to fathom how PMPRB will help achieve the 15% cuts when it's unlikely to hold a hearing for the foreseeable future.

Why is that? B/c it's attempt to reform how prices are regulated was eviscerated by the GoC + industry.

paulcwebster.com/pcw/wp-conte...

4/4.

In fact, the links to its past decisions etc seem to have been wiped from PMPRB's site (screenshot below). Perhaps as part of a transition to a new page which also doesn't seem to have any links to past orders and decisions, only voluntary undertakings (link below):

www.canada.ca/en/patented-...

The only thing is that the PMPRB hasn't had a hearing in quite some time. And if you go to their site, you'll see there are 'no matters' pending before the Board:

www.canada.ca/en/patented-...

2/4