On Tuesday, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, dropped an electrifying bombshell. She announced the launch of a new, province-wide initiative that would provide patients in the province with expedited access to multiple new cancer drugs. This new program is intended to accelerate patient access to ten select high-priority cancer medications per year. These drugs are simultaneously approved by Health Canada under the Project Orbis Pathway.
Their decision to expedite access is one of the first groundbreaking moves under a three-year pilot program that Ontario’s government has created and approved. The bottom line Whatever how quickly something needs to be done, making sure safety is considered along the way is essential. This initiative is a sign of the government’s commitment to making sure Ontarians get the treatment they need without lengthy wait times.
In addition to calling for more federal funding, Jones noted the value of provinces working together to improve healthcare delivery. She stressed that through joint collaboration, provinces, territories, and the federal government can ensure equitable access to innovative medicines for all Canadians.
Dr. Bishal Gyawali, a medical oncologist and associate professor at Queen’s University in Kingston, expressed cautious optimism regarding the initiative. He stated that while faster access to drugs is beneficial, it is essential to evaluate whether such access actually translates into positive outcomes for patients.
“Whenever there is a complaint about delays, people always complain that the government is not funding it.” – Dr. Bishal Gyawali
Mina Tadrous is a drug policy researcher at the University of Toronto. She resonated with Gyawali’s sentiments and underscored the need for accountability, but said that accountability doesn’t rest only with the government. She called on the drug industry to start “changing their whole model for pricing drugs.” Until then, these strategies have a large impact on how quickly patients can access new medications.
“But it’s not just the government, there is also the industry. We should also be asking why the industry is not lowering its prices.” – Mina Tadrous
Bettina Hamelin, president and CEO of Innovative Medicines Canada, praised the federal government’s move. She noted that in her mind this is a huge step forward. It will ensure all cancer patients have timely access to the most innovative therapies.
As this pilot program gets underway, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how it affects patient care and treatment outcomes. The Ontario government’s proactive approach may serve as a model for other provinces seeking to enhance access to essential medications while balancing the need for safety and efficacy.
