![innoviCares: a solution for the reimbursement of drugs in Quebec](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2014-03-24/i25529-innovicares-une-solution-pour-le-remboursement-de-medicaments-aux-quebecois.jpg)
January 22, 2013 – With the abolition of the 15-year rule on January 14, the approximately 3.4 million Quebecers covered by the public drug insurance plan are now reimbursed for the lowest price of the sixty drugs released, that is, the generic version corresponding to the original drug.
The rule of 15 consisted in fully reimbursing a brand-name drug as soon as it was entered in the register of drugs reimbursed by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). From now on, many Quebecers insured by a public or private plan and who are prescribed a brand-name drug have only two options: switch to the generic product or pay the difference.
The innoviCares program offers another avenue for patients who can now continue their treatment with the brand-name drug they know and inspire them with confidence, without incurring additional costs. “In addition to the price, over time many patients acquire a feeling of security and confidence in their medical treatment,” explains Denis Tanguay, pharmacist and president of Cliniconcept inc. With the abolition in Quebec of the rule that protects certain brand name drug patents for 15 years, the launch of the innoviCares program is good news for those who wish to continue taking many of the drugs prescribed by physicians, that people know and feel good with. “
Quebecers can obtain an innoviCares benefit card free of charge. This is designed to cover part of the price of the drug. The patient only has to present his card with his prescription to the pharmacy.
“The innoviCares card currently covers dozens of drugs used by Quebecers every day and new products are constantly being added,” said Oliver Nemeskéri, vice president of operations at STI Technologies Limited, a healthcare IT company. Canada, which manages the innoviCares program.