Will OUR MP's protect OUR interests?

Right now all eyes should be focused on our MP's in Ottawa. This is a most important period in federal politics as Prime Minister Harper is on a fly and lie mission.

Yes we need to know about the Senate scandal, corruption, incompetence, and possible illegal activities. We need Harper to be grilled on his judgement in character, his continued lies, and the real deal relative to election fraud and his continued "management" of the media.

So Harper hops on a plane and takes off to do a free trade deal with the European Union (CETA) on the first day of the House of Commons. Yes it's another avoidance of accountability and transparency by our PM - but it may be much worse than that.

The CETA framework - en route to becoming a trade deal - may contain one of the worst concessions ever made by a country. Big Pharma or Brand drug companies have lobbied very hard to extend patent rights in Canada and if they have succeeded the cost to Canadians is unbelievable. If the PM has allowed a three year extension on patents - the number of generic drugs scheduled to make their entrance into our pharmaceutical sector will be significantly delayed.

The provinces who have spent the last three years destroying the generic marketplace and seriously harming our local pharmacies to "save" dollars will have all those "savings" eliminated and still be losing more.

I know it is important that our Opposition MP's probe the Senate fiasco and seek accountability - but it must not be used to avoid discussion of this trade deal. The pharmaceutical piece of this agreement is one negative component but there are others including potential issues for fishermen and farmers.

We must NOT let our MP's be silent - they must be more aggressive on CETA than they plan to be on the Senate mess. If not - they are doing all of us a great disservice and more they will contribute to the gouging of Canadians on prescription drugs.

The fact that Harper is attempting to control media yet again and is running away from the Senate scandal and our parliament in par for the course. He is a liar, cheat, and does not believe in accountability.

Right now our MP's need to earn their salaries and benefits by doing the job we elected them to do. 

Marketplace and CARP (CRAP)

CBC's Marketplace has done it again.

This time it is with an episode on Travel Insurance called "tripped up" - regarding difficult insurance questionnaires and the "surprises" one may receive when they actually avail of that insurance.

This time they interview Susan Eng the VP Advocacy for CARP - a 50+ group that offers services and advocacy for membership.

In either case the investigation reveals that Manulife has a very tricky and/or difficult questionnaire to be completed when acquiring travel insurance. It shares some pretty sad stories of people who believed they had insurance - only to find out some time after using it - that their "questionnaire" was not filled out properly.

Marketplace needs to do a story on CARP and the relationships it has/had with drug companies, insurance companies, etc to see who is lobbying them.

Eng from CARP states that because Manulife did not agree to an interview with Marketplace - then they must have "something to hide".

Although this story was first shown just a couple of months ago - there was no problem finding a lovely "Manulife" advertisement on the CARP site.

Further the following is offered to CARP members:

The Travel Insurance Program for CARP Members is underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife Financial), and by First North American Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial. Life and health plans offered by The McLennan Group Life Insurance Inc.

Please explain Marketplace why you did not ask Susan Eng why they expose their membership to such a company.

The Government gets its Way and YOU PAY

Outside of the spectacle most PC MHA's displayed in the House of Assembly last week - regarding the change in generic drug pricing - we have a much more serious problem.

That session of comedy revealed an underlying weakness in our political leadership.

I will let the reader decide if stupidity, corruption, indifference, or vindictiveness is the cause.

First let's agree on a few things.

The following are the essentials of life for people in our province:

1. Food
2. Shelter/Housing
3. Energy
4. Transportation
5. Health Care - including Prescription Medications

Today we will deal with number 1.

The price of food is of primary concern to the vulnerable people of our society. Individuals and families living on fixed low incomes are challenged every day to eat - let alone eat healthy.

Every week when one shops at the supermarket one notices the increase in the price of food. 

Food prices rose 4.1% on a year-over-year basis in February, following a 4.2% increase in January.

What is the response of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador? Nothing! They rely on provincial food banks to hold people over from week to week.

Supermarkets receive rebates for purchases and particular shelf space so there is money in the system to reduce the price of food.

Considering that government (taxpayers) help low to no income people and families through income assistance - in part to buy food - then one would think government would direct food manufacturers to lower the price of generic food. Example - a tin of Carnation milk (brand) compared to a tin of Our Compliments milk (generic). Price of Carnation milk $1.50 and Price of Our Compliments $1.25. Therefore the generic tin milk is priced at 83% of brand. So if the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador lowered the price to 45% of brand then the generic tin of milk would cost 68 cents. Now we're talking.

Then if Dunderdale continued on and lowered the generic milk price to 35% of brand then the price would be 53 cents a tin.

Now if a person or child does not react well to the generic milk and finds that Carnation is the only one they can consume then a special authorization would be needed from government so that they can get enough money to pay for Carnation milk.

While the special authorization is approved - Mr. Sobey could give the customer the milk until the person is approved in 4 weeks. In either case Mr. Sobey would have to wait a week to be paid for the generic milk.

The question is will Tom Marshall, Kathy Dunderdale, and Susan Sullivan ask Mr. Sobey to sharpen his pencil?

For those of you not on any form of income assistance - your price would be lowered too. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador when regulating prices - apply that price reduction to all citizens.

Do you think the supermarkets can afford to lower their prices?

For many medical conditions - a proper and healthy diet is essential. If the person is a diabetic - incorrect food choices could mean the difference between $1500 dollars worth of drugs a year and $15,000 dollars to keep the disease in check - including otherwise unnecessary stays in the hospital or by a worsening of the disease.

So the biggest problem in Newfoundland and Labrador today is the small independent pharmacy - the same people who day after day ensure people do not go without medications? The pharmacies that have a rotating credit for customers at about $20,000 per pharmacy - the pharmacies that are there whenever they are needed. The pharmacies who have provided free essential services to the people under their care.

Meanwhile the price of generic drugs are going down through competition and are reducing the price of drugs government pays for by replacing brands.

I watched a group of MHA's who were elected to represent people - stand up an speak about something they knew nothing about. The ignorance was incredible. Unfortunately - this means the decisions made are not going to bring the stated desired result.

The government chose this time not to listen to Dr. Wade Locke or the people who are experts in pharmacy services. This time they listened to unknown sources of information but were lobbied by brand companies.

Make no mistake - the money - if any - saved on the generic price changes will be gobbled up by oil and gas giants, mass retail and grocer corporations, and brand drug houses.

Make sure you have the number for your MHA handy as changes occur. It is he or she that has caused the problem.

Changing the face of pharmacy - is not the prescription you need.

Lobbyists and Dunderdale - Who Pays the Price?

What the Generic Giveth the Brand Taketh Away 

On the heels of the Dunderdale's government decision to lower prices of generic drugs - two brand houses are reaching in and taking that money back.

As of April 02-12 Pfizer (Brand Company) has raised the prices of 40 some drugs.

As of April 01-12 Merck Canada (Brand Company) has done the same with about the same number.

Joining them in price increases on April 01-12 are: Brand Companies - Novartis, Purdue, Abbott, Axcan, NovoNordisk, Jannsen-Ortho and Astra.

Many of the Pfizer drugs that will go up in price next week are drugs commonly needed by seniors and others with chronic illness.

With money to spare in the provinces treasury anticipated by changes to generic pricing - the Brand Drugs are taking advantage and getting more cash.

Unfortunately the Brand Houses do not fund independent pharmacies through rebates so now we lose money and have nothing going back into community health services.

The brand drug companies are the strongest lobbyists in the country and yes they lobby our government.

This is a direct attack on local independent companies by our government and a gift for Shoppers Drug Mart and Brand companies. 

Loblaw's - Dunderdale Government - What's Up?

Loblaw's just announced that it will be "buying" Zellers prescription files from 95 locations from across the country - excluding Quebec and British Columbia. The deal is worth 35 million dollars. This move is a result of the Target acquisition of Zellers.

First of all these are individual patient files and individuals in Canada have the right to CHOOSE the pharmacy they wish to deal with. Secondly - I would hope that each of these patients will be contacted to see if they WANT their prescription transferred to Loblaws.

Of course this is just a tip of the iceberg and what's hidden beneath is very cynical.

Most of you are aware that provinces in Canada are making legislative moves to lower generic drug prices through regulation. On the surface this appears like a good thing for the consumer - but is it?

To date the greatest impact of these changes have been to devalue - marginalize - and make vulnerable independent pharmacies in the country. For the record - independent pharmacies are the most trusted pharmacy  model and are renowned for personalized care and for the willingness to move into or establish in areas that do not have massive populations.

The Shopper's Drug Mart's - Loblaw's - and Lawton's of our marketplace are all waiting for these independents to become vulnerable so that they can consolidate the marketplace. The comments below found in the Canadian Business publication confirms this for the non-believer.

TORONTO - Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (TSX:SC) is bracing for a profit squeeze from more reforms to generic drug sales next year, but also plans to seize the opportunity to buy out independent pharmacies that are even more vulnerable.

"It's the company that's absolutely best positioned to take advantage of opportunities that are going to (result) from drug reform and other macro trends in the Canadian market," Domenic Pilla, the new president and CEO of Shoppers told analysts on a conference call Wednesday.

Brad Lukow, Shoppers chief financial officer said the full impact of drug reform on Shoppers earnings has not yet been felt.

Legislative reform has yet to take place in a number of provinces, and a second phase will be implemented in Ontario and B.C. in April.

The new changes will expand the cheaper prescription regulations to cover all patients purchasing pills, either out of pocket or using insurance plans.

"That's the negative," he explained. "The positive is, we firmly believe there will be a strong opportunity delivered by drug reform that will allow us in a greater way to be a consolidator of the marketplace."

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This consolidation or any consolidation may be good for business but may not be good for the consumer - the patient. Once all the "consolidations" are complete what will we be left with? Well in rural areas - the reliance will be on drugs being delivered by mail - without a pharmacist or pharmacy you can visit in person. In inner-city neighbourhoods where many vulnerable individuals live - transportation will become a problem and worse the ability to make special arrangements for credit or to get the personalized service of help with compliance or accessibility forms will disappear.

Of course once the mass retailers get control of the pharmacy marketplace - prices will go up - way up. Let's take Loblaw's or Sobeys the consolidators of the food marketplace - have they achieved lowering the prices of your food?

When we had a local bread maker the Loblaw's and Sobeys of our marketplace offered 59 cent bread - now that that local manufacturer is gone and the jobs with it - how much is your bread?

If one looks closely at the Loblaw's - Zellers story they will notice the revelation of the new marketing strategy of the retail giant.

"Our goal is to be the number one nutrition and health destination in Canada," said Michael Lovsin, Loblaw senior vice-president, health and wellness.

"We feed more Canadians than any other grocery retailer in the country and with this comes responsibility to help them make healthier food and lifestyle choices. Our pharmacy business plays an important role in this effort." 

________________________________________________________

So the deal is come to us and you can eat well and buy our drugs. 

If that is the claim - then Loblaw's will not hesitate to allow governments to regulate the food prices - as they are doing with prescription drugs to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradoians have the cheapest prices for food in the country right? They will not hesitate to reveal manufacturer rebates for groceries and give them up to ensure that all people can AFFORD healthy food - right? 

This grocery giant as with mass retailers like Shopper's and Lawtons rely on their front store - the cosmetics, the groceries, the paper goods for 50% or more of their revenues whereas an independent relies 90% on the dispensary for revenues. The more they get price reductions for drugs the more food, televisions, and makeup they sell. 

Ultimately they are using your health care as a loss leader. Governments are showing either extreme ignorance or are knowingly complicit to accommodate the wishes of the stock markets. 

At a time when our population is aging and the need for disease management escalates - programs designed to deliver medication and disease management will suffer the loss of these independent pharmacies and the collaborative care practices they have developed.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has ignored the advice of 65 local pharmacy owners and the advice of Dr. Wade Locke - that before any radical changes are made to generic drug pricing - a thorough review of the potential consequences should be completed and a made in Newfoundland and Labrador solution is developed. 

On April Fools Day once again - Newfoundland and Labrador will jump headfirst into Upper Canadian based policy that will destroy our front-line health services - destroy local business - and once again throw rural Newfoundland and Labrador under the bus.

Newfoundland and Labrador pharmacy owners will not allow this decimation and will fight to protect the health care rights for the people they serve.

Patients in other areas of the country and in the USA are fighting the Walmart and Walgreen type presence and have supported a model of care that has been in our province for 100 years. 

These chains and retailers have only been here for 30 or so years and have done their best to lobby government to do their predatory work for them. To the credit of our people - they continue to stand behind their local pharmacy and the superior services and commitment to patient/community - they have always provided. The question is where does your MHA sit?

Next up - the mysterious NDP position that ultimately supports multinationals and turns away from rural local business and professionals - to the detriment of your health care.

How about $800,000 a month? Next Up Crestor - Where's the Minister?

It is now widely believed that the generic version of Crestor (another cholesterol drug) will be available for the market by April 2012. Great for the health care budget.

Crestor was the the most costly drug in Canada last year coming it at $875,000,000.

Newfoundland and Labrador's portion of this was over $19 million.

When the generic is released it will cost approximately half of this amount or over $800,000 a month savings.

If we continue down the same path used for introducing new generics - we will waste over 3 million dollars.

Just imagine the savings.

Now this is a heads-up to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Finance, and the government.

Will they now deal with this problem?

Will the media or Opposition parties ask the questions?

More $$$$ lost from Health Care - Secret Committee

Another half million dollars down the tube as Newfoundland and Labrador takes 40 days longer to list new generic.

In this case Lipitor - a brand drug to help control cholesterol - came off patent protection in May 2010 - and should have been on our formulary by July 1 of 2010. Atorvastatin the generic version did not make our formulary until August 11 2010. This 41 day delay cost us close to half a million dollars.

More interesting in this case - it may very well have been delayed until December of 2010 - if the Council of Independent Community Pharmacy Owners did not directly advise the Department of Finance of this problem.

That would have cost close to 2 million dollars.

Since that time the situation has not been corrected and we continue to lose millions of dollars.

This is the second example of wastage.

Where are the questions?

Where is the media?

These numbers can be independently verified.

Why are drugs available in our hospitals but not available at the retail pharmacy?

Here is another half million for surgeries to remove excess skin or quicker MRI's. 

Will Dunderdale, Ball, or Michael investigate? $$$$ LOST!

We have now entered a time-frame industry people like to call the Patent Cliff.

Over the next 5 years residents of Newfoundland and Labrador as with all other jurisdictions in Canada and the USA should experience an extreme reduction in the price of essential commonly prescribed medications.

As these new generics enter the marketplace - our government should act immediately to replace the brand drugs on our formulary. This will save us tens of millions of dollars.

Unfortunately we still have a secret committee determining when our tax dollars will be used wisely.

If you can buy the drug in New Brunswick, Alberta, or Ontario - why not here in our province?

Why are our hospitals permitted to dispense drugs that our retail pharmacies cannot?

Why does our government pay brand prices when savings of 40 per cent and more are available?

Sue's Blog will layout some of the financial losses our government has allowed of our essential health care dollars.

We also need to discuss and understand if there are any potential conflicts within the secret committee that answers only to the Minister - and NOT the House of Assembly. We need to know if any member of the committee has any dealings with the drug companies - outside of the committee - and whether those dealings are commercial in nature.

Is it possible that any committee members - who have the power of recommendation to the Minister of Health - could use that power in commercial dealings?

Do the Brand Drug Houses lobby any of the committee members - in any way whatsoever?

You see something is not right here. We are losing tens of millions of dollars and nothing is being done about it. Sound Familiar?

Open and Transparent - right? Public Accounts - spending our money wisely right?

Where is the investigative journalism? Where are the NDP members on this - they are the champions of health care right?

Loss of Millions $$$ from Health Care - Secret Committee

Do you want to witness wastage of our health care dollars?

An open request to the Auditor General: Please review the workings, processes, and results of the interchangeable drug review advisory committee.

This committee consists of individuals appointed by the Minister of Health and must comprise of 2 pharmacists, 2 physicians, the Deputy Minister, and other persons the Minister may wish to appoint.

When a drug comes off patent and generic equivalents are made available - this committee reviews submissions by generic drug companies to have their products listed on our formulary. These drugs which range between 50-60% of brand price have the potential to save tens of millions of dollars a year.

First you must understand that in order for a generic to be permitted for use in Canada - Health Canada reviews the scientific data and confirms that the generic is safe. Once that has occurred any pharmacy in Canada can purchase the drug and dispense it under various private insurance plans and cash paying customers. In fact these new generic equivalents are almost immediately available in our hospitals - and quite often are dispensed to a patient when in hospital - only to be unavailable at a retail pharmacy when they are released.

Newfoundland and Labrador is notoriously slow to list many of these generic equivalents as they become available. This money is wasted and over the years the tens of millions could be hundreds of millions. In some cases one month delay equals over $100,000 loss of health care dollars.

So how is it that other provinces in Canada are dispensing a generic equivalent under publicly funded drug cards and hospitals in our province are dispensing this same drug - but this "committee" has not cleared it for retail pharmacies - costing us tens of millions of dollars?

The review committee sits in private and the deliberations are secret. The minutes are not available to the public.

Will the media attempt to find the answers to this gross wastage of health care dollars? Will the Auditor General review this situation and report to the House of Assembly what is going on?

Will the Opposition parties step to the plate?

This is a serious and ongoing issue - that is being kept from public scrutiny.