Jennifer Meldrum

🔍 May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month! 🌟 As we recognize Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, it's crucial to emphasize the pressing need for improved collaboration between Canadian provinces and our Federal government to effectively allocate funds ($1.5B) from Canada's Rare Disease Strategy. These funds can be instrumental in advancing diagnosis and treatment for persons living with cystic fibrosis and other rare diseases across the country. As a caregiver, taxpayer and voter - it truly upsets me that our officials are not doing more to collaboratively work on solutions in this area. With an estimated 4,300 Canadians living with cystic fibrosis, it's imperative that we prioritize efforts to enhance research, and improve access to specialized care. By working together to implement the government's Rare Disease Strategy, we can make significant strides in providing better outcomes and quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis. Let's unite in raising awareness and advocating for better support for persons living with cystic fibrosis - and other rare diseases. #cysticfibrosisawareness #rarediseasestrategy #onpoli #cdnpoli #healthpolicy #improvingcare

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In case you missed the announcement from Canada’s Drug Agency (formerly CADTH) today: “Effective immediately, we are expanding our pilot process for rolling drug reimbursement reviews. As a result, we can now initiate a rolling reimbursement review for any drug application that is filed before Health Canada’s regulatory decision (on a pre-Notice of Compliance basis) if the sponsor consents to information sharing between our organization and Health Canada.” As Canadians wait almost two years, on average, to access medicines, this is another exciting step by CDA towards their “Target Zero Goal” of zero days between regulatory approval and HTA decisions. https://lnkd.in/giydpzKU #HTA #medicines #Canadianhealthcare #marketaccess #patientsfirst #CDA

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I am extremely passionate about drug discovery, development and commercialization of innovation. That is what both the innovative pharmaceutical industry and Canada’s life sciences sector do! It is only by working together across the sector and with government that we can move the needle on industrial and access policies that turn Canada into a G7 leader where investments into innovation and access to these innovations go hand in hand. #HESA #collaboration #HealthyCanadians #healthyeconomy #healthyplanet Innovative Medicines Canada - Médicaments novateurs Canada

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Tackling important issues today at Colorectal Cancer Canada 8th Annual Patient-Centered Approach to Clinical Trials Conference in #Montreal. One main question we strive to answer today is "how are we advancing Cancer #clinicaltrials in Canada?" Will post some take aways soon! #clinicaloperations #clinicaltrial #clinicalresearch #drugdevelopment

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Pharmacare, a single-payer pharmacy benefit system for Canada, has moved a big step closer to becoming a reality with the passage of Bill C-64 by the House of Commons. However, private health insurers, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the pharmaceutical industry have expressed misgivings about the proposals.   The intent of Bill C-64 is “to support the development of a national formulary of essential prescription drugs and related products and to provide for the development a national bulk purchasing strategy.” In the first instance, pharmacare will “provide universal, single-payer, first-dollar coverage—for specific prescription drugs and related products intended for contraception or the treatment of #diabetes.” The program could subsequently be expanded to all essential medications.   Critics express concern about the “universal, single-payer, first-dollar coverage.” Stephen Frank, President and Chief Executive of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, said: “Late last month, the Minister of Health told MPs on the health committee that those who have an existing drug plan are going to continue to have access to those plans and the coverage they provide. If that’s the Minister's intent, it is not at all clear from Bill C-64.” Frank warns that a single-payer system could disrupt the employer-sponsored drug coverage currently received by most of the population. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is similarly concerned that pharmacare could “jeopardize the private insurance of 27 million Canadians.”   Innovative Medicines Canada noted that, “already, 97.2% of Canadians have access to pharmaceutical coverage, and insurance gaps are typically small and geographically concentrated. This presents a clear and feasible opportunity to introduce a pharmacare system that takes care of uninsured and under-insured Canadians. While public statements made by the Minister of Health indicate there would be no duplication of existing coverage, the text of the bill clearly states otherwise. We are also concerned that the proposed approach would replace existing coverage models—that work well—with less effective treatment options. We urge you to take the time to allow for a comprehensive study of Bill C-64 in the Senate. Given the expedited process of the bill in the House of Commons, we believe that it is incumbent upon Senators to give the bill more careful and deliberate consideration, inclusive of all perspectives.”   C-64 states that “the Government of #Canada commits to maintaining long-term funding for the provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples to improve the accessibility and affordability of pharmaceutical products, beginning with those for rare diseases. The funding for provinces and territories must be provided primarily through agreements with their respective governments.” The success of #pharmacare will depend on support from regional governments, some of which also have continued reservations about the initiative. #drugbenefits

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🗣️What does the future of healthcare need? An integrated approach. In our most recent CONNECT Communications Collaborator series video with Famida Jiwa of Osteoporosis Canada, we talked about Canada’s aging population and the needs of that cohort as they continue to age. To watch the full video, visit https://lnkd.in/gDKcZU_y #CONNECTCollaboratorSeries #BridgeMedicalCommunications #HealthcareCollaborators #OsteoporosisCanada

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Key take aways from Day 1 of the 8th Annual Patient-Centered Approach to Clinical Trials Conference (hosted by Colorectal Cancer Canada): - We need to stop thinking in terms of a perceived duality of "research patients" and "regular patients" within our healthcare systems in order to increase and enhance care universally in #Canada. - Shift the paradigm to "Research IS Care" in Canada. - Need to implement long-term funding plans for research projects - Need more (in amount and frequency) public awareness campaigns for #clinicaltrials. - Hospitals and other healthcare institutions should be accredited as "research ready" centers of excellence where all HCPs and support staff obtain fundamental training on TCPS2 and GCPs. - #Clinicalresearch training should be provided as a basic course in undergrad life sciences programs at the University level. Future generations of physicians should be aware of the benefits of clinical trials and the importance of ongoing research as a complimentary form of providing care to patients. - Bring legal experts to the table when discussing ways to improve the review process for CDAs/NDAs, Clinical Trial Agreements, etc. The goal is to make legal review more efficient and faster. Thank you to all the presenters and panelists so far!... love the interactive and engaging sessions, plus useful workshops to plan and implement positive changes. The future looks bright when we all collaborate together! #clinicaltrial #drugdevelopment #clinicaloperations #innovativemedicines

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With every disease and patient community now having their own dedicated day or month, we’re facing a growing challenge of awareness overload. The irony? October 20th is actually Information Overload Day. Awareness days can only go so far. Take Bell Let’s Talk, for instance—its success isn’t just about having a day. It’s the powerful marketing behind it that drives real impact, raising both awareness and funds for mental health. Simply posting on an awareness day isn't enough to cut through the noise. For patient-centric communication to truly matter, your messaging must make patients feel seen and heard—not just when a hashtag is trending, but all year round. The goal shouldn’t be to flood the calendar with more content on these days. Instead, it’s about crafting strong, meaningful messaging that connects and resonates with patients every single day. Are we diluting the power of awareness days with too much noise, or are we missing the mark on delivering impactful communication? Let’s rethink how we use these opportunities.

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Canada's move towards a national pharmacare program, as outlined in Bill C-64, is poised to significantly reshape the landscape for pharmacies across the country. Here's how: Increased Patient Flow: With broader coverage for medications like contraceptives and diabetes drugs, pharmacies are likely to see an increase in patient visits. This could lead to busier pharmacies, particularly in areas where access to these medications was previously limited due to cost. Cost Management and Price Negotiation: The government's role in bulk purchasing could indeed lower drug prices, which might affect pharmacies' revenue models that were previously based on higher drug costs. However, this could also mean that pharmacies might need to adapt by focusing more on service fees rather than just the dispensing of medication. Shift in Service Delivery: As mentioned, there might be a shift towards pharmacies focusing more on patient consultation and health management services. This could mean: More in-depth medication reviews to ensure proper use and adherence. Increased involvement in managing chronic diseases through education and monitoring. Expansion of minor ailment services where pharmacists can assess, prescribe, and treat conditions traditionally seen by physicians. Adoption of Technology: The future of pharmacies under pharmacare could involve: Implementation of electronic prescribing systems to streamline operations and reduce errors. Use of pharmacy management systems for better inventory control, potentially integrating with a national formulary. Digital health platforms for patient engagement, medication reminders, and telepharmacy consultations. Economic Implications: Challenges: Initially, there might be economic challenges as pharmacies adjust to potentially lower margins on drug sales. The transition might also involve costs related to upgrading technology and training staff for new roles. Long-term Benefits: Over time, the increased volume of patients, combined with government support, could lead to: Stabilization of income through service provision rather than just drug sales. Potential for pharmacies to become more integral in primary care settings, enhancing their role in the healthcare system. Improved public health outcomes which could reduce overall health system costs, indirectly benefiting pharmacies through increased patient reliance on their services. https://lnkd.in/gtSE6v9x #PharmacareCanada #HealthcareForAll #PharmacyServices #PatientCare #DrugPricing #CostReduction #DigitalHealth #PharmacyTech #HealthcareEconomics #PharmacyFuture #UniversalHealthcare #HealthSystem #PharmacyConsultation #BulkPurchasing #PrescriptionManagement

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RWE FOR OUTCOMES-BASED AGREEMENTS // On Oct. 21, 2024, join me and expert panelists Jessica Arias, MFT, PMP, Winson Cheung, Graham Statt and Amyn Sayani at the Canadian Association for Population Therapeutics Conference (https://lnkd.in/gdJTjr-J) to discuss the ASCOT study, a #simulated #OBA #RWE case study in oncology. We’ll be speaking about: ⚡ How to generate timely and meaningful Canadian RWE to support an OBA through regular reporting. ⚡ The role of a steering committee when developing the data collection plan for an OBA. ⚡ Perspectives on the “how” of OBAs: data collection, feasibility and implementation...and more! Looking forward to seeing you there! #specialtypharmaceuticals #Canada #outcomesbasedagreements #innovativeagreements #marketaccess #managedentry #patients #patientsfirst #RWE #RWD #realworlddata #realworldevidence #healthoutcomes #data #pharmaceuticalindustry #outcomes #innovation

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The first time-limited recommendation under Canada's Drug Agency new HTA process has been issued, for AbbVie Canada’s epcoritamab for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. https://lnkd.in/grX7kVyw It is encouraging to see the language about #equiable and #timely #patient #access in the recommendation: "pERC noted that this approach would help facilitate the equitable and timely access to promising treatments for patients while ensuring that treatments considered for public reimbursement adhere to a level of rigour that sufficiently demonstrates effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The time-limited reimbursement strategy allows the integration of future clinical trial evidence to help shape stronger health policy and drug funding decisions where longer-term follow-up data is required." Next up in the process: the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance's #pTAP: “…pCPA Temporary Access Process (pTAP) will inform the negotiation process and potential product listing agreements for any drug products that follow the CADTH time-limited recommendation pathway.” #Canada #HTA #managedaccess #managedentry #patients #patientsfirst #RWE #RWD #realworlddata #realworldevidence #healthoutcomes #data #pharmaceuticalindustry #outcomes #innovation

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Contracpetion for women with hypertension- DKT has you covered. Laktasi contracpetive daily oral pills is a safe and effective choice.

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Clostridium Difficile (C.diff) remains a significant concern in Canada, being the leading cause of healthcare-related infections. With an annual treatment cost of approximately $280 million in 2015, it's evident that combating this infection is both crucial and costly. It's alarming to note that the recurrence rate of C.diff infections post-antibiotic treatment stands at around 30%, escalating to 60% after two or more recurrences. One of the primary contributors to C.diff infection is the imbalance between good and bad gut bacteria. While current treatments to restore healthy colonic flora often fall short and come with a high price tag, there's a compelling case for embracing Fecal Microbiota Transplants. These transplants boast an impressive ~90% cure rate after just one treatment, offering a promising solution in the fight against C.diff infections. #InfectionPrevention #Healthcare #MicrobiotaTransplants #CanadaHealthcare #FMT #NovelBiome #Microbiome

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WEBINAR REGISTRIATION NOW OPEN https://lnkd.in/ge53ZAqc // Interested in the latest developments on #timely #access #mechanisms for Canadian patients? Join me, Raelynn Douglas, MBA, CHE, Nicole Mittmann, Lisa Machado and Andrea Masters as we discuss managed access frameworks and outcomes-based agreements, and the future possibilities of these approaches. Hosted by the Resilient Healthcare Coalition, registration is complimentary: https://lnkd.in/ge53ZAqc CC: 20Sense | Consulting Canada's Drug Agency Government of Saskatchewan Roche Canada #CMLnetwork #specialtypharmaceuticals #Canada #patients #patientsfirst #healthoutcomes #data #healthcare #pharmaceuticalindustry #outcomes #innovation #access #drug #drugaccess #realworldevidence #HTA #outcomesbasedagreements #innovation

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How do we get it right, the first time and make it safe for the patient? This is a question that involves all stakeholders in the healthcare system, including patients and their caregivers. As Dr. Catherine Gathu, MBChB, MMed, MSc, FHEA reminds us, creating a psychologically safe place for patients to communicate with their healthcare providers openly is critical. Society can also play an essential role in helping reduce stigma to ensure patients receive the care they need. As we observe World Patient Safety Day, let's prioritize sharing our patient experiences promptly and openly, working together to identify potential issues swiftly to ensure the best possible care. #GetItRightMakeItSafe #WorldPatientSafetyDay

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Did you know Health Canada offers a seven-day review option for eligible comparative single-dose bioavailability/bioequivalence studies, and a 30-day default for a Clinical Trial Application (CTA)? The streamlined CTA gives Canada a clear timeline advantage over other countries. For example, in Europe, Part I and II CTA review timeline are taking a minimum of 60 days (without any issues or changes)—with standard response times for extensions being 12 days. The data collected from your early phase trials in Canada can also be used to support submissions for IND applications to the US FDA, enabling a smoother transition to late-phase clinical trials. Altasciences’ three clinical trial facilities (located in Montreal, Kansas, and LA) include adaptive clinical pharmacology units for Phase I and II studies in healthy normal volunteers and patient populations for small and large molecules. Interested in learning more about how Altasciences can accelerate your drug development timelines and help optimise early go/no go decisions? Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]

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Thoughts on this? >> Amplitude Ventures closes $263 million for second precision medicine VC fund - BetaKit - Canadian Startup News >> Comment below! >>> lqventures.com #strategy #competitiveintelligence #marketing #biotech #pharmaceutical #competitivemarketing #pharma #healthcare

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Why do we work with multiple therapeutic stakeholder groups all across Canada? 👇 💡One main reason: To share best practices. As experts in #medcomms, we know that working in siloed healthcare stakeholder groups is not nearly as effective as working together to develop solutions and introduce new ways of thinking to all parties involved. Tell me your perspective below ⬇️ #collaborativehealthcare #medicalcommunications #canadianhealthcare

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