Public input sought on proposed health privacy legislation

WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon is moving to provide greater protection of Yukoners’ personal health information and is seeking input from residents on how to do that.

New legislation is being proposed and Yukoners are invited to comment on the ways the legislation will protect privacy and help health care workers and government provide improved health services.

“There are very important reasons why an individual’s personal health information needs to be appropriately shared among doctors, nurses, pharmacists or other health care providers. This can help save lives or make treatment easier,” Health and Social Services Minister Doug Graham said today in announcing the consultation. “However, our government is very aware of the need to share this information in a way that protects the privacy of individuals and provides them with more control over their information.”

The department is seeking public input on proposed health privacy legislation that is intended to balance protecting personal privacy of Yukoners with the need to appropriately share personal health information, so that Yukoners receive the highest level of care possible.

The feedback received will help shape the legislation and ensure it has the appropriate balance between an individual’s right to privacy and the needs of health care providers and government. In this instance, health care provider refers not only to doctors and nurses, but may also include other health professionals such as dentists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and optometrists. The public input process will also explore which other health care providers should be included in this legislation.

“This legislation will create the framework for initiatives, such as the development of electronic health records,” Graham added. “Having this legislation in place will make it easier to introduce electronic health systems such as a drug information system.”

Most Canadian jurisdictions have similar laws in place or under development that protect health information. The proposed Yukon legislation will bring Yukon in line with other jurisdictions.

All Yukoners are encouraged to provide feedback. A discussion document explaining the key issues in the proposed legislation can be downloaded from the Health and Social Services website. A printed copy can be obtained by calling 867-667-5747. Comments will be received until July 31.

Province Releases Mental Health and Addictions Strategy

More children and youth will be able to get help for mental health concerns in schools, and more Nova Scotians will get treatment for drug addictions as a result of the province’s first mental health and addictions strategy.

Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald today, May 16, released a government-wide five-year strategy with 33 actions and a $5.2 million investment this year.

“Nova Scotians living with mental illness and addictions, and their families, deserve better care sooner, as well as the supports they need to live healthier lives,” said MacDonald. “I’m very proud to release our plan, and I look forward with enthusiasm to the positive results it will have on mental health and addictions care in our province.”

Key actions include:
– putting mental health clinicians in SchoolsPlus families of schools in all school boards to identify and treat mental health problems of children and youth earlier
– funding community agency projects that help Nova Scotians of all ages living with mental illness and addictions
– expanding opioid replacement treatment to areas of the province with the greatest need
– expanding provincewide the successful Strongest Families program, which provides telephone coaching to families that have children with behavioral or anxiety difficulties
– expanding peer support to help people with mental illness transition successfully from hospital to community
– expanding the toll-free crisis line across the province to ensure that people with mental health and addiction concerns are able to talk to someone immediately

Together We Can: The Plan to Improve Mental Health and Addictions Care for Nova Scotians meets a key commitment under Better Care Sooner to improve services for people throughout Nova Scotia.

“As co-chair of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy Advisory Committee, I am pleased to see the minister responding to the recommendations we provided her,” said Dr. Michael Ungar, internationally recognized social worker and family therapist. “The strategy puts into action many of our highest priorities, setting the province on an ambitious five-year plan to change the way mental health and addictions services are provided and communities and families supported.

“It is especially satisfying to see the government putting resources into expanding services for children and youth, early intervention, and efforts to address stigma which, when combined with better, more accessible treatment, will significantly improve mental health and addictions services in Nova Scotia.”

The recommendations of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy Advisory Committee, which released its report, Come Together, on April 23, helped develop the five-year plan.

The committee heard from more than 1,200 Nova Scotians and reviewed research, best practices and lessons learned. The committee, appointed in fall 2010, is 14 people with personal and professional experience in mental health and addictions.

To view the plan, visit gov.ns.ca/health/mhs/mental-health-addiction-strategy.asp .

PROVINCE SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON ACCESS TO DEFIBRILLATORS

Manitobans are being asked for their feedback on expert panel recommendations on which public places will be required to have defibrillators under the Defibrillator Public Access Act, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.

“When someone is in cardiac arrest, rapid treatment can mean the difference between life and death,” said Oswald. “We want to hear the public’s thoughts about how to best implement this important legislation that will ensure access to defibrillators where they are needed most to save lives.”

The act was passed with all-party support in 2011 and an expert working group was established to provide advice about which public facilities would benefit most from having defibrillators located on site. The working group included paramedics and representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.

The recommendations include a variety of high-traffic public spaces or places with frequent recreational activities such as golf courses, large malls, gyms, schools and airports.

The public is being asked to provide feedback on the types of public places where defibrillators will be installed, the criteria to determine the number and location of defibrillators in public places, the signs that must be posted and the date defibrillators will be required.

Manitobans can respond or provide feedback:

• at the website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/legislation/dpaa.html;
• by mail to Legislative Unit, Manitoba Health, 1052 ‑ 300 Carlton St., Winnipeg MB R3B 3M9, Attention: J. Kydd;
• by fax at 204-945-1020; or
• by email at aed@gov.mb.ca.

Public feedback on the regulations will be accepted until May 31.

Cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital 85 per cent of the time. The legislation was introduced in the spring of 2011 to ensure access to defibrillators in public places where it could be used to save lives, the minister said.

Throne Speech Focused on Future, Advancing Province’s Priorities

NOTE: A social media version of this release is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2012-03-29-Throne-Speech/ . High-res, downloadable photos, video and audio clips will be added after the event.

Government, today, March 29, announced it will continue to move Nova Scotia forward by sticking to its plan to make life better for families.

Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis opened the Fourth Session of the 61st General Assembly of Nova Scotia with the Speech from the Throne. In it, Premier Darrell Dexter outlined how government will advance its plan to continue to do things differently and keep Nova Scotia focused on a better future.

“Nova Scotia is changing in a positive and significant way, and government is focused on continuing that trend in the future,” said Premier Dexter. “Our progress is clear — the plan is on track, it is working, and this government will continue to move that plan forward to secure a better life for Nova Scotia families.”

The province’s priorities are:
– creating good jobs and growing the economy
– better health care for you and your family
– making life more affordable for families
– ensuring government lives within its means

Nova Scotia is on the verge of some of the largest economic projects in the province’s history. jobsHere, the province’s plan to create good jobs and grow the economy, is ensuring that Nova Scotia is ready to seize the opportunities on the horizon with a continued focus on innovation, competitiveness and learning.

Government has supported the start-up and growth of hundreds of Nova Scotia companies in all parts of the province. The Productivity Investment Program will continue to provide support for employee training and for businesses to invest in new equipment.

This year, government will improve the apprenticeship programs that teach young people the skills and trades they will need to make the most of their work lives in Nova Scotia’s bright future. Through its workforce and immigration strategies, the province will persist in its efforts to meet growing workforce demands.

Through the Jobs Fund, the province will continue to pursue investment opportunities that support and retain industry, help small business, invest in infrastructure, fund regional economic initiatives and offer community economic stability where needed. Businesses in Nova Scotia will also benefit from the third tax rate reduction in as many years.

These measures will strengthen the workforce and help grow the economy, ensuring that, as the future starts here, Nova Scotians are ready to be a part of that future.

Collaborative emergency centres are a key part of Better Care Sooner, the plan to improve health care for Nova Scotians. The province will continue to announce and open new collaborative emergency centres in communities across the province so Nova Scotians have access to the care they need, when and where they need it.

The province will develop a physician resource plan to help ensure an adequate supply of family doctors across Nova Scotia. After extensive consultation, government will soon release the first strategy to improve mental health and addictions care.

Making life more affordable for families remains a priority. Last year, the province made the single largest non-capital investment for post-secondary students in Nova Scotia history. Student assistance levels increased, student debt was capped and tuition was kept at, or below, the national level.

The Poverty Reduction Credit and the Affordable Living Tax Credit will continue. As introduced last year, government will continue to refund the provincial portion of income tax paid by seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Nova Scotians in need of prescription drugs can now get the generic form for the same price, or less, than what is paid by most Canadians.

This year, the province will invest more money per student than ever before and will keep average class sizes the lowest they have been in a decade. Kids and Learning First will ensure schools have the resources and supports they need to help every student succeed.

SchoolsPlus, the program that brings services for families and children into schools, will soon be available in every county of the province. A new grants program encourages community use of schools, allowing more Nova Scotians to use school facilities for physical activity, and educational and cultural programs.

To ensure the province continues to live within its means, government will make further improvements to how it operates and delivers public services.

Legislation was also addressed. This year, the province will introduce Status of the Artist legislation to reflect the importance of arts and culture to Nova Scotians. The province will also bring forward bills to establish a new regulatory framework for mortgage brokers and lenders, remove barriers to social enterprise, and update Nova Scotia’s body of family law.

Residents to Benefit from New Generic Drug Pricing Policy

A new generic drug pricing model is being implemented to help ensure the people of Newfoundland and Labrador obtain quality prescription drugs at reasonable prices. The bill titled An Act to Amend the Pharmaceutical Services Act will receive second reading in the House of Assembly today. Once fully implemented, residents of this province will benefit from lower cost generic prescription drugs.

“Our government is committed to continuing to provide affordable access to prescription medication for beneficiaries of our prescription drug program,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “We are also committed to ensuring that residents of our province, whether or not they are beneficiaries of our public drug program, pay reasonable prices for their generic drugs, including those in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Introduction of a new generic drug pricing policy will help to ensure this.”

The new generic drug pricing policy will provide savings to residents who pay for their medications out-of-pocket and to employers and employees who pay through private drug benefit plans. The policy will also provide savings through the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.

“Savings that are realized as a result of the new generic drug pricing model will not be at the expense of residents – on average, residents can expect to pay less for their prescription medications as a result of this policy,” said Minister Sullivan.

When compared to other provinces in Canada, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians pay higher prices for generic drugs than provinces who have implemented generic drug pricing policies.

The new pricing policy will be phased in between April 1, 2012 and April 1, 2013:

• From April 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012 all generic drugs, except for a small number that will be considered for exemption, will be priced at no more than 45 per cent of brand.
• From October 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013 all generic drugs, except for those approved for exemption, will be priced at no more than 40 per cent of brand.
• From April 1, 2013 onward, all generic drugs, except for those approved for exemption, will be priced at no more than 35 per cent of brand.

Currently, when buying generic drugs residents of this province pay approximately 60 per cent of the brand drug price. The proposed new generic drug policy, once fully implemented, will see that drop to 35 per cent of the brand drug price. In recognition that not all products can be brought to market at 35 per cent of the brand price, a process will be established where the manufacturer will have to demonstrate extraordinary production or manufacturing costs to justify an exemption being granted for a particular drug.

In addition, a portion of the savings achieved by the Provincial Government through this policy will be reinvested directly into the health care system for the benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, particularly seniors. Modifications will be made to the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program 65Plus Plan that will come into effect with the introduction of the new generic pricing model, to help ensure that lower income seniors do not pay more for their prescriptions.

In addition, through negotiations with the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, savings will also be reinvested in pharmacies. Initiatives from these negotiations may include such things as dispensing fees, the payment of professional (cognitive) services and the introduction of other targeted investments.

“Our government understands that our province faces unique geographic and demographic challenges in terms of the location of our communities and the distribution of our population,” said Minister Sullivan. “The health care services that pharmacies provide in rural parts of our province are essential to these communities and the residents who benefit from their services and expertise. We recognize that this model will reduce the amount of professional allowances that some pharmacies are currently receiving from generic drug manufacturers. To help offset any loss in revenue the Provincial Government will be reinvesting a significant portion of its projected savings to assist pharmacies in adjusting to their new market reality.”

Currently six other provinces have introduced generic drug pricing models. The planned policy has drawn on the experiences of these provinces to ensure that the decisions made by the Provincial Government are based on best practices. The Provincial Government invests approximately $151 million annually in the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. The program provides financial assistance for the purchase of eligible prescription medications for residents of the province with five main plans; the Foundation Plan, 65Plus Plan, Access Plan, Assurance Plan, and, Select Needs Plan.

Generic drug pricing policy announced

FREDERICTON (GNB) – A generic drug pricing policy that will reduce drug costs for all New Brunswickers was announced today by the provincial government.

“Even though generic drugs are cheaper than brand-name drugs, the fact is New Brunswickers are paying more for generic drugs than most of their provincial counterparts,” said Health Minister Madeleine Dubé. “The efforts announced today will ensure that all New Brunswickers benefit from more affordable drugs; and pay a similar price for generic drugs as their counterparts in other jurisdictions. The policy will help to ensure the sustainability of drug programs for future beneficiaries.”

The policy is part of an overall effort to address rising drug costs, which pose a significant challenge to the New Brunswick health-care system. It will set maximum allowable prices for generic drugs.

The provincial government recognizes that reducing generic drug prices will impact pharmacy revenues. In light of this, the provincial government will reinvest a portion of the savings achieved through the reduction in generic drug prices back into pharmacy services in the following ways:

●    investing about $4.5 million in 2012-13 to increase dispensing fees paid to pharmacists and paying a mark-up on generic drugs to help offset the reductions in revenues that pharmacies receive through rebates from generic drug manufacturers;
●    investing $233,000 to implement NB PharmaCheck, a medication review program, as an insured service under the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program for which pharmacies can be compensated;
●    investing $295,000 in a rural pharmacy incentive initiative by paying an additional $2 dispensing fee for the first 10,000 provincial prescription drug program prescriptions filled at pharmacies 25 kilometres or more from the next nearest pharmacy; and
●    investing $1.2 million to help offset the costs associated with pharmacies connecting to the provincial Drug Information System / Prescription Monitoring Program, which will improve prescribing and reduce the abuse of prescription drugs.

The provincial government will continue to engage pharmacies by establishing a working group comprising representatives from the Department of Health and the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association. This group will monitor savings achieved by the policy and to discuss opportunities related to the role of pharmacists in the health-care system.

The provincial government will continue to work to find efficiencies within the provincial prescription drug program to ensure it is sustainable.

This program has a number of mechanisms in place to contain costs, including:

●    an evidence-based drug review process to ensure cost-effective drugs are covered as benefits;
●    special authorization is required for coverage of certain high-cost drugs when lower-cost alternatives have been tried and found unsuitable;
●    narcotics and controlled drugs have annual quantity limits; and
●    the new Drug Information System/Prescription Monitoring Program is being developed, which will improve prescribing and reduce the abuse of prescription drugs.

“All stakeholders – including government, pharmacy, drug manufacturers and drug plan beneficiaries – must work together to find long-term solutions to rising drug costs that are fair to everyone,” said Dubé. “If we are to maintain a program that helps New Brunswickers with their drug costs, it needs to be sustainable so it can continue to benefit those who need it for many years to come.”

Consultation: Strengthening Livestock and Poultry Traceability in Canada

OTTAWA, March 19, 2012 — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) would like your feedback on proposed changes to the Health of Animals Act intended to strengthen livestock and poultry traceability in Canada.

The proposed changes would enhance the Government of Canada’s ability to

• protect public health and strengthen food safety
• rapidly respond to disease outbreaks and natural disasters (for example floods and ice storms) that affect Canada’s animal resource base

Traceability is the ability to follow an item or a group of items-such as animal, plant, or food products or their ingredients-from one point in the supply chain to another.

The focus of this initiative is farm-to-slaughter traceability of livestock and poultry species. The proposed changes touch on some of the following elements:

• animal and location identification
• animal movement reporting and recording
• information and privacy protection

This initiative supports a commitment made in 2006 by federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture to create a national livestock and poultry traceability system.

A consultation document explaining the proposed changes is available on the CFIA‘s website and is open for comments until May 3, 2012. The CFIA will use comments from the public and stakeholders to help shape the proposal moving forward.

For more information on traceability in Canada, visit www.inspection.gc.ca/traceability or call 1-800-442-2342.

• Consultation: A Legislative Framework for Traceability: Proposed Elements

The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada, 2011

Executive Summary

This is the Chief Public Health Officer’s fourth annual report on the state of public health in Canada. It examines the state of health and well-being of Canadian youth (aged 12 to 19 years) and young adults (aged 20 to 29 years). The report considers many health issues affecting this population such as physical and mental health, injury, sexual and reproductive health and substance use and abuse. By discussing these issues and how they are addressed, the report identifies priority areas for action to maintain healthy transitions of young Canadians into adulthood.

Government Launches Review of the Registered Disability Savings Plan

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced the launch of the Government of Canada’s review of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).

Minister Flaherty made the announcement this morning at the Association pour l’intégration sociale d’Ottawa.

The Government is inviting stakeholders to comment on RDSPs to ensure that the plans are meeting the needs of Canadians with severe disabilities and their families. “It is important for those who benefit from these plans to give their input, so that RDSPs continue to accurately reflect and address their true needs,” said Minister Flaherty.

The RDSP is widely regarded as a major policy innovation and positive development in helping to ensure the long-term financial security of children with severe disabilities. The RDSP was introduced in Budget 2007 and became available in 2008. Budget 2008 announced that the program would be reviewed three years after plans became operational.

The review will seek input on a number of important topics that are crucial to the success of the RDSP. These include issues related to establishing plans, accessing plan savings, plan termination, and the administration of the RDSP program.

Individuals, families, groups representing Canadians with disabilities, financial institutions and experts in the field are encouraged to share their views on these and other relevant issues.

Comments can be sent to the Department of Finance at RDSP-REEI@fin.gc.ca or to the address below. The closing date for comments is December 16, 2011.

RDSP Review
Tax Policy Branch
Department of Finance
L’Esplanade Laurier
16th Floor, East Tower
140 O’Connor Street
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0G5
Facsimile: 613-943-5597

PRINCE ALBERT– Accessible dental health care for children will be delivered by an NDP government, announced Leader Dwain Lingenfelter today in Prince Albert.

Lingenfelter was joined by local candidates in unveiling the prevention-focused plan, which would cover all children aged five to 12.

“Childhood dental care is critical in promoting later overall health,” said Lingenfelter.  “Without access to a consistent dental care program, our children are at risk of tooth decay and more serious health problems.  Early years are critical years in dental and all health care.”

The program will cover basic preventive dental health care including check-ups, fluorides, sealants and basic fillings.  By working in partnership with the school system, the service will be efficient and accessible to all.

Lingenfelter said an NDP government will also work with private dentists to negotiate a fee-for-service arrangement for children who require larger fillings or more complex preventative treatments such as orthodontics.

“We need a healthier Saskatchewan.  Preventative children’s dental care is a foundation to a healthier future, and it’s the right thing to do,” said Lingenfelter.