A review of Ontario's revised drug cost programs.
Ontario's PARCOST program was introduced in 1970. This paper examines the changes wrought in the program since its inception and the economic and political reasons for those changes. It describes the components of the pharmacist's claim, the nature of price controls, and the problems with formulary decisions. The authors suggest that the driving force behind budget restraints is cost containment through lower drug prices with little emphasis on therapeutic considerations.
D003363:Cost Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009864:Ontario; D011907:Rate Setting and Review / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency