“Evaluating the Utilization Patterns, Financial Impact, and Access Delay Caused by Reimbursement Criteria on Public Drug Plans for Primary Care Topical Treatments in Canada: A Case Study with HP/TAZ Combination for Plaque Psoriasis”

Psoriasis is a chronic auto-immune disease affecting 1 million Canadians which presents as scaly red patches on skin. For the people affected, quick access to therapies is essential. However, it can be a challenge, especially in the presence of reimbursement barriers. In Canadian healthcare, public drug plans often have barriers such as criteria. Criteria can reduce government expenses by limiting access to expensive or specific medication. However, for low-cost medication, delaying access by implementing criteria can lead to additional costs through time-consuming paperwork and an increase in hospital visits that offset the benefices.
The project is carried out in collaboration with Bausch Health Canada, a pharmaceutical company, and focuses specifically on the case study of HP/TAZ. HP/TAZ is a low-cost topical combination treatment for a subtype of psoriasis: plaque psoriasis. The project’s goal is to summarize the impact of reimbursement criteria through utilization, financial and access delay analyses. The findings and recommendations will contribute to informed decision-making to improve access and optimize the utilization of topical treatments in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michelle Savoie

Student:

Partner:

Bausch Health, Canada Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: