Government of Canada Signs Bilateral Agreement with Ontario for Drugs for Rare Diseases
Ottawa, Ontario – January 24, 2025 – The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario have signed a bilateral agreement that will provide access to life-saving drugs for rare diseases for Ontarians.
The agreement is part of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), which was launched in 2022 to improve access to drugs for all Canadians. The pCPA negotiates prices with drug manufacturers and coordinates coverage across the country.
The bilateral agreement with Ontario will ensure that Ontarians have access to drugs for rare diseases that are not covered by the pCPA. These drugs are often very expensive, and many families cannot afford them.
“This agreement is a significant step forward in our efforts to improve access to drugs for rare diseases,” said the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health. “We are committed to working with provinces and territories to ensure that all Canadians have the medications they need.”
The Government of Ontario is contributing $100 million to the bilateral agreement. This funding will be used to cover the cost of drugs for rare diseases that are not covered by the pCPA.
“We are pleased to be working with the Government of Canada to improve access to drugs for rare diseases,” said the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario Minister of Health. “This agreement will make a real difference in the lives of Ontarians who rely on these medications.”
The bilateral agreement is a five-year pilot project. It will be evaluated after five years to determine its effectiveness.
Background
Rare diseases are defined as those that affect fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. There are an estimated 6,000 rare diseases, and they can affect people of all ages.
Drugs for rare diseases are often very expensive, and many families cannot afford them. This can lead to patients being denied access to the medications they need.
The Government of Canada is committed to improving access to drugs for rare diseases. The pCPA is one of the key initiatives that the government is using to achieve this goal.
Government of Canada signs bilateral agreement with Ontario for Drugs for Rare Diseases
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