Regulation - LGIC
Dissolution of the Citizens' Council and the Pharmacy Council under the Ontario Drug Benefit Act
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 201/96
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Ontario Drug Benefit Act
Summary of Decision:
ONTARIO REGULATION 797/21
made under the
ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT ACT
Made: November 25, 2021
Filed: November 26, 2021
Published on e-Laws: November 26, 2021
Printed in The Ontario Gazette: December 11, 2021
AMENDING O. REG. 201/96
made under the
ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT ACT
Made: November 25, 2021
Filed: November 26, 2021
Published on e-Laws: November 26, 2021
Printed in The Ontario Gazette: December 11, 2021
AMENDING O. REG. 201/96
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed legislative and regulatory amendments to dissolve the two agencies - Citizens' Council and Pharmacy Council - would have no new administrative costs. In addition, there would be no financial impact to the government or to businesses.
Citizens' Council
• The Citizens' Council was established in 2007 to engage ordinary citizens about policy questions related to public drug programs. It has issued 11 reports on specific topics.
• The Ministry recommends dissolving the Citizens' Council as more efficient and cost-effective patient-engagement options (e.g., Patient and Family Advisory Council) are now available to obtain a patient perspective on drug funding and policy decisions relating to the public drug program.
Pharmacy Council
• The Pharmacy Council was established in 2006 to involve pharmacists in the development of pharmaceutical and health policy and in aspects of their profession's roles and services advising government during a major transition in Ontario's drug system. It is co-chaired with the Ontario Pharmacists Association.
• The Ministry recommends dissolving the Pharmacy Council as the primary issues and challenges relating to the pharmacy sector with which the Pharmacy Council was created to inform government interventions have been addressed through several sector reforms that were implemented in 2010, 2015 and 2017. The Ministry will continue to seek expert advice by alternative means and/or explore other mechanisms to actively engage the sector as appropriate.
• Pharmacy stakeholders are consulting with the government outside the Pharmacy Council. As required, the Ministry will seek expert advice by alternative means and/or explore other mechanisms to actively engage the sector as appropriate.
Citizens' Council
• The Citizens' Council was established in 2007 to engage ordinary citizens about policy questions related to public drug programs. It has issued 11 reports on specific topics.
• The Ministry recommends dissolving the Citizens' Council as more efficient and cost-effective patient-engagement options (e.g., Patient and Family Advisory Council) are now available to obtain a patient perspective on drug funding and policy decisions relating to the public drug program.
Pharmacy Council
• The Pharmacy Council was established in 2006 to involve pharmacists in the development of pharmaceutical and health policy and in aspects of their profession's roles and services advising government during a major transition in Ontario's drug system. It is co-chaired with the Ontario Pharmacists Association.
• The Ministry recommends dissolving the Pharmacy Council as the primary issues and challenges relating to the pharmacy sector with which the Pharmacy Council was created to inform government interventions have been addressed through several sector reforms that were implemented in 2010, 2015 and 2017. The Ministry will continue to seek expert advice by alternative means and/or explore other mechanisms to actively engage the sector as appropriate.
• Pharmacy stakeholders are consulting with the government outside the Pharmacy Council. As required, the Ministry will seek expert advice by alternative means and/or explore other mechanisms to actively engage the sector as appropriate.
Further Information:
Regulation
Proposal Number:
21-HLTC010
Posting Date:
April 15, 2021
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of Health (MOH/Ministry) is proposing amendments to the Ontario Drug Benefit Act (ODBA) and Ontario Regulation 201/96 under the ODBA to dissolve two advisory agencies namely the Citizens' Council and the Pharmacy Council, as recommended by the Agency Review Task Force (ARTF) who completed a comprehensive review of provincial agencies to improve services, fix inefficiencies, and protect the sustainability of public services. The proposed amendments to the ODBA are conditional on their introduction and passage in the Legislative Assembly. The proposed regulatory amendment is conditional on the passage of the legislative amendments.
The dissolution of these health advisory agencies through the proposed legislative and regulatory amendments, if passed/approved, would support building smarter government by:
• Taking steps to ensure all provincial agencies are relevant, efficient, effective and provide value-for-money for taxpayers; and
• Delivering programs and services that are relevant, efficient, and better for Ontarians by ending duplication of functions between agencies and identifying savings to re-invest in health system priorities.
The proposed changes, if passed/approved, would align with the government's overall priority of building a smarter government that is focused on delivering programs and services that are relevant, efficient and provide value-for-money.
These proposed changes are about coordinating and connecting the health care system to make it more efficient, while investing more tax dollars into frontline care.
As part of the government's Smart Initiative, the proposed dissolution of these agencies aligns with the requirements of the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability Act in supporting government's overall plan to improve fiscal sustainability and reduction of red tape.
The dissolution of these health advisory agencies through the proposed legislative and regulatory amendments, if passed/approved, would support building smarter government by:
• Taking steps to ensure all provincial agencies are relevant, efficient, effective and provide value-for-money for taxpayers; and
• Delivering programs and services that are relevant, efficient, and better for Ontarians by ending duplication of functions between agencies and identifying savings to re-invest in health system priorities.
The proposed changes, if passed/approved, would align with the government's overall priority of building a smarter government that is focused on delivering programs and services that are relevant, efficient and provide value-for-money.
These proposed changes are about coordinating and connecting the health care system to make it more efficient, while investing more tax dollars into frontline care.
As part of the government's Smart Initiative, the proposed dissolution of these agencies aligns with the requirements of the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability Act in supporting government's overall plan to improve fiscal sustainability and reduction of red tape.
Contact Address:
Ministry of Health
Drugs and Devices Division
5700 Yonge St., 3rd Floor
Toronto ON M2M 4K5
Drugs and Devices Division
5700 Yonge St., 3rd Floor
Toronto ON M2M 4K5
Effective Date:
January 1, 2022
Decision:
Approved