The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) is a quasi-judicial body responsible for protecting Canadians from patent abuse related to patented medicine prices. To do so, the PMPRB reviews the prices of these medicines and intervenes as necessary in the form of a hearing, during which a panel might determine that the prices are excessive.
The PMPRB also contributes to a greater understanding of the biopharmaceutical ecosystem by publishing annual reports on trends in sales, pricing, and research and development spending. Additionally, the PMPRB provides neutral, relevant, and timely ad hoc analysis on pharmaceutical trends, at the Minister’s request.
The PMPRB has a requirement for the supply of an existing, fully developed database containing drug utilization data [S(2.1][JB2.2]for the retail and hospital sector respecting relevant market variables such as price (at ex-factory, wholesale and retail level in local and US currency), quantities and revenue of medicines sold in Canada and all OECD countries. The information provided must have been collected [S(3.1][JB3.2]in a complete, objective and non-biased fashion by surveying hospitals, pharmacies and wholesalers across Canada and all OECD countries.
International price and market trends continue to be areas of research for both PMPRB policy work and as part of research priorities identified by the NPDUIS AC.
