The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides essential data and analysis on Canada’s health system and the health of Canadians. CIHI obtains data from hospitals, regional health authorities, medical practitioners, governments, and other sources.
Links to Other Resources
Data Resources
IMS provides business intelligence and strategic consulting services for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
OECD Health Data is an electronic database with one of the most comprehensive sources of comparable statistics on health and health systems across OECD countries.
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology develops and maintains the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System with Defined Daily Doses (ATC/DDD). The ATC/DDD system classifies therapeutic drugs. The purpose of the ATC/DDD system is a tool for drug utilization research to improve quality of drug use.
Research Resources
The Health Council of Canada measures the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of the health care system, to foster system accountability and transparency. Through insightful monitoring, public reporting and facilitating informed discussion, the Council observes what helps or hinders health care renewal and the well-being of Canadians.
Government or Public Agencies
The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) is a national body that provides Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial health care decision makers with credible, impartial advice and evidence-based information about the effectiveness and efficiency of drugs and other health technologies.
The Government of Canada, through various programs, provides prescription drug coverage for about one million Canadians who are members of eligible groups. These groups include First Nations and Inuit, members of the military, Veterans, members of the RCMP, and inmates in federal penitentiaries.
Health Canada's Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) is the Canadian federal authority that regulates pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices for human use.
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) is a Canadian, independent, quasi-judicial body. The PMPRB has a dual role: Regulatory – To protect consumers by ensuring manufacturer’s prices for patented medicines are not excessive; and Reporting – To inform policy decisions by reporting pharmaceutical trends and patentee’s R&D spending.
BC PharmaCare helps British Columbians with the cost of eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies. It provides coverage through seven drug plans, the largest of which is the income-based Fair PharmaCare plan.
The Manitoba Pharmacare Program is a drug benefit program for any Manitoban, regardless of age, whose income is seriously affected by high prescription drug costs.
The New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program (NBPDP) provides prescription drug benefits to eligible residents of New Brunswick.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program provides financial assistance in the purchase of eligible prescription medications for those who reside in the province.
Nova Scotia provides assistance to eligible residents through various programs to help pay for prescribed medications and supplies listed in the Nova Scotia Formulary.
Formally established in April 2007, the Ontario Public Drug Programs account for 45 per cent of total prescription drug costs in Ontario.
The Prince Edward Island Family Health Benefit helps families with children with the cost of approved prescription drugs. Eligibility is based on family size and the net family income from the previous year.
In Québec, everyone must be covered by prescription drug insurance, either through private plans (group insurance or employee benefit plans), or through the public plan administered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec.
Saskatchewan’s Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch provides benefits to the eligible Saskatchewan population by promoting cost-effective drug therapy and extended benefits, subsidizing qualifying residents and supporting the use of a claims database.
Associations – Research
The Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) aims to improve health and health care by linking research with health services and health policy. CAHSPR’s large, diverse membership includes producers and users of research. Members have unique opportunities for networking, research collaboration and career advancement.
The Canadian Association for Population Therapeutics (CAPT) promotes population-based studies of therapeutic interventions and provides a forum for reporting, scientific discussion, and dissemination of study data. These activities form an information resource for medical decision-making.
The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE) is an international organization dedicated to advancing the health of the public. The ISPE provides a forum for the development of policy, education, and advocacy, as well as the open exchange of scientific information in the field of pharmacoepidemiology.
Associations – Health Professions
The Canadian Medical Association is a national, voluntary association of physicians that advocates on behalf of both its members and the public for access to high quality health care. The CMA also provides leadership and guidance to physicians.
The Canadian Pharmacists Association is the national voluntary organization of pharmacists committed both to advance the profession of pharmacy, and to contribute to Canadians’ health.