Reforming private drug coverage in Canada: inefficient drug benefit design and the barriers to change in unionized settings.
Health Policy
; 119(2): 224-31, 2015 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25498311
ABSTRACT
Prescription drugs are the highest single cost component for employees' benefits packages in Canada. While industry literature considers cost-containment for prescription drug costs to be a priority for insurers and employers, the implementation of cost-containment measures for private drug plans in Canada remains more of a myth than a reality. Through 18 semi-structured phone interviews conducted with experts from private sector companies, unions, insurers and plan advisors, this study explores the reasons behind this incapacity to implement cost-containment measures by examining how private sector employers negotiate drug benefit design in unionized settings. Respondents were asked questions on how employee benefits are negotiated; the relationships between the players who influence drug benefit design; the role of these players' strategies in influencing plan design; the broad system that underpins drug benefit design; and the potential for a universal pharmacare program in Canada. The study shows that there is consensus about the need to educate employees and employers, more collaboration and data-sharing between these two sets of players, and for external intervention from government to help transform established norms in terms of private drug plan design.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Reforma dos Serviços de Saúde
/
Planos de Assistência de Saúde para Empregados
/
Seguro de Serviços Farmacêuticos
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Health Policy
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article