In the complex landscape of Canadian healthcare, patients are losing their most precious resource: time. Karen Heim’s powerful presentation at the Market Access conference revealed a stark reality – patients in Canada wait nearly two years after Health Canada approval to access new medicines, ranking last among G7 countries. Here are three transformative strategies to dramatically reduce patient wait times:
- Implement Accelerated Access Programs
The traditional bureaucratic approach is failing patients. By creating streamlined, technology-enabled access pathways, we can:
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- Enable immediate patient access upon Health Canada and HTA approvals
- Continue pricing negotiations in the background
- Leverage digital platforms to expedite review processes
Real-World Example: Ontario’s recent commitment to an accelerated patient access program demonstrates the potential for systemic change.
- Embrace AI and Digital Diagnostic Technologies
Diagnostic delays are killing patient potential. Innovative approaches like CHEO’s “Think Rare” algorithm show how we can:
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- Use artificial intelligence to identify undiagnosed rare diseases
- Reduce diagnostic journeys from years to weeks
- Create connected healthcare infrastructures that share critical patient data
Breakthrough Insight: The average rare disease diagnostic journey currently takes five years – technology can compress this dramatically.
- Develop Specialized Rare Disease Evaluation Frameworks
One-size-fits-all assessments don’t work for rare diseases. We need:
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- Unique regulatory pathways for rare disease treatments
- Comprehensive value assessments beyond traditional cost-effectiveness metrics
- Recognition of broader economic and human impacts of rare disease treatments
Economic Perspective: A European study revealed rare diseases generate €249 billion in direct and indirect costs – investing in faster access isn’t just compassionate, it’s economically smart.
The Human Cost of Waiting
Behind every statistic is a patient like Jennifer, who waited decades for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Or Anthony, whose life transformed through innovative diagnostic technology. Call to Action: Healthcare leaders, policymakers, and innovators must collaborate to dismantle systemic barriers. Every day of delay represents lost potential, unmanaged pain, and diminished quality of life.
Want to dive deeper into market access solutions? Visit our comprehensive content hub: 👉 https://www.marketaccesscanada.ca/
This blog is based on the 2024 Market Access Summit session featuring Karen Heim of Alexion
