Premiers to build bulk-buy drug program

[polly7]

Canada's premiers and territorial leaders say they will work to establish a pan-Canadian purchasing alliance to bulk-buy prescription drugs, medical supplies and equipment.

.....At the close of the annual summer meeting of the Council of the Federation on Friday in Winnipeg, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger said provinces must continue to find innovative ways to offer health-care services to Canadians in the "most cost-effective fashion possible."

Selinger, who hosted the two-day meeting, said the premiers have directed their health and finance ministers to put the plan together.

He also said the leaders talked briefly about the federal government's move to scrap the mandatory long-form census, but added "there was no consensus on the census."

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said the plan would give the provinces more leverage with the federal government to get more money for health care.

"If we can work together to reduce the cost of our drugs, that frees up more money for us to spend inside the health-care system in a way that directly affects patient care," he said.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2010/08/06/premiers-meeting-health-care-environment-census.html#ixzz0vxkWqxhM

[Spazito]

1. It sounds like a good plan to me...

A two-fer, reduce the costs and put the savings into the provision of services.

On the issue of the census, I bet dollars to doughnuts the Premier that prevented concensus was Stelmach, Alberta's Premier.

[polly7]

2. I agree it's a good idea and hope it's effective.

As for Stelmach, I don't know much about him, but after reading this: http://www.pialberta.org/content_pdf/sustainability3fold , I think you're probably right.

[Spazito]

4. Yep, he's a piece of work...

The federal neocons say jump, he doesn't even ask how high. He's not alone, though, that's why Alberta is infamous as 'Texas North' and it's not just because of the oil.

[Bragi]

3. The national governemnt would do this in a real country /nt