BC's reference-based pricing policy faces criticism CMAJ 1997;156:627 © 1997 Canadian Medical Association The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) has spoken out against the BC government's reference-based pricing policy that lumps a group of drugs together and sets a single price -- equivalent to the cost of the least expensive product in the category -- for all drugs in the group. When BC extended its reference-based pricing policy to include medicines for hypertension, heart failure and other cardiac illnesses, the CCS responded with a position paper that sharply criticized the "ill-considered policy," which it said could place lives at risk. "Heart medicines, such as those used to control high blood pressure, heart failure and angina, are very complex medications," CCS president Dr. Peter McLaughlin said. "There can be marked variations in the effectiveness and side effects of these drugs from one patient to another. It is not like switching brands of toothpaste." The CCS said the initial savings on drug costs that result from the policy are offset by corresponding increases in physician visits and hospitalization, and cautioned other governments against enacting similar policies. Send a letter to the editor responding to this article Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cet article | CMAJ March 1, 1997 (vol 156, no 5) / JAMC le 1er mars 1997 (vol 156, no 5) | / >