HESA Committee Report

Recommendation 1:

The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to require an independent, external performance evaluation of the CDR within a year, and at five year intervals, and to make them immediately available to the public.

Recommendation 2:

The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to enhance transparency by increasing the level of scientific and price information disclosure through discussions with pharmaceutical manufacturers at the time of submission.

Recommendation 3:

The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to increase the current level of public involvement in the CDR through public attendance at open CEDAC meetings and the creation of a public advisory body.

Recommendation 4:

The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to create a set of specific appeal criteria which, if met, would lead to a new and distinct appeal process for CEDAC recommendations which will;

·        Require a separate group of expert reviewers;

·        Extend requests for appeal beyond manufacturers to the public; and,

·        Establish a clear timeframe for an appeal decision.

Recommendation 5:

The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to urge CADTH to establish a specifically designed approach for the review of drugs for rare disorders and for first-in-class drugs.