Process for Bringing Your Innovations to the Market

Once approved, the drug is assessed by the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS, National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services), which reviews its therapeutic value, cost, cost-efficiency ratio, and impact on the health care system. This assessment then results in a recommendation regarding the drug’s listing on one of the Quebec drug formularies (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ, Québec Public Health Insurance Plan)) or institutional drug formularies.

Quebec is known for the rigorous, inclusive and context-based approach used by INESSS with respect to health technology assessment. INESSS takes into account the needs of the Quebec population, the specific features of the health care system, and the perspectives of the patients, users and caregivers. Besides prescription drugs, INESSS also assesses medical devices and clinical practices based on evidence and economic and budgetary analyses. These assessments inform decisions on the adoption and reimbursement of health innovations.

At the same time, pricing is negotiated with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), which brings together provinces, territories and federal programs. This step aims at guaranteeing equitable access to treatment, while ensuring the financial viability of the health care system.

Based on INESSS’s recommendations and the negotiation results, the Quebec Minister of Health decides whether the drug will be listed on the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ, Québec Public Health Insurance Plan) drug formulary or on the list of drugs covered in health care institutions. If listed, the drug then becomes available to patients covered by both public and private general prescription drug insurance plans, since Quebec has a universal system for prescription drug coverage that is unique in North America.