HESA Committee Report
If you have any questions or comments regarding the accessibility of this publication, please contact us at accessible@parl.gc.ca.
The CDR is not a new concept in terms of its mandate, processes and results. It performs assessments of both clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness, just as the drug plans have always done. However, the collaborative approach that consolidates federal and provincial/territorial drug review processes into one process is new and it aims to utilize limited expertise efficiently. Participating drug plans believe that the CDR is a positive example of intergovernmental cooperation that provides valuable service to the Canadian public.
The Committee was told that, to dismantle the review process entirely would be unacceptable, both economically and politically. Despite this, members strongly agree with witnesses that further improvements are necessary. The Committee hopes that its recommendations help the CDR to achieve a higher level of satisfaction among those who are affected by its work and to maintain its international reputation for high quality work. Further, the Committee hopes that the Office of the Auditor General will conduct a value for money review of the CDR as requested earlier.