Ontario to offer early access to some new cancer drugs in pilot project

Ontario will give patients access to select new cancer drugs early as part of a pilot project that would make these medicines available whether or not public health plans have finalized price negotiations with the drug manufacturers.

At the same time, the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), the national body that represents all public insurance plans, says it will try to speed up price negotiations so they are finished earlier, possibly eliminating the need for Ontario’s pilot project.