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Regulations

Drug Price Controls and Pharmaceutical Innovation

Drug costs have undeniably risen more quickly than other health care costs. The share of drugs in overall Canadian health care spending went from 10.8% in 1988 to 15.7% in 2001. However, the higher drug expenses facing Canada’s health care systems are not due to price increases imposed by multinational pharmaceutical firms. Various factors explain the growth in drug spending.

Why We Need Freer Trade in Canada

There seems to be a view among Canadian governments that the domestic market and interprovincial trade are not important. Canada as a country doesn't have enforceable trade rules. Provincial governments can and do use their legislative and regulatory powers to protect local interests and limit trade in their markets. We also don't have an effective mechanism to ensure that our domestic market is functioning the very best it can to support and sustain export growth in the future.

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