Provincial
governments are raising concerns that European Union (EU) trade talk demands
for longer brand-name drug monopolies will increase their health-care costs.
The
governments of Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba recently made public
comments warning that measures to benefit brand-name drug companies will come
at the expense of taxpayers and patients.
On
May 4, 2012, BC’s minister of jobs, tourism and innovation, Pat Bell, was
quoted in media stories stating: “We would strongly urge Ottawa to ensure there
are no incremental costs to British Columbia as a result.”
Minister
Bell told the BC Legislature that his government has taken “a very strong
position” on the issue.
An
academic study from February 2011 estimated that patients, employers and governments
would pay an extra $2.8 billion annually for prescription drugs if the EU’s
demands are adopted.
Ontario
would be hit the hardest with an annual cost increase of $1.2 billion.
When
asked about Ontario’s position on the issue in the Provincial Legislature in
early May, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan’s reply expressed concern about the potential
impact on the generic pharmaceutical industry. “Ontario is one of the leading
producers of generic drugs in the world. We export a good portion of those.
They create good-paying jobs right here in Ontario. I would not want to
jeopardize those jobs.”
In
an April 2012 letter, the Government of Manitoba said it has made clear to the federal
government that the EU’s pharma demands are of “vital concern”.