Canada Enacts Drug Price Crackdown, in Blow to Pharmaceutical Industry

TORONTO (Reuters) – The Canadian government announced final regulations on Friday that should cut billions of dollars from patented drug prices that are among the highest in the world, overcoming heavy opposition from pharmaceutical companies who may eventually challenge the new rules in court.

The biggest reform to Canada’s drug price regime since 1987 would save Canadians C$13.2 billion ($10 billion) over a decade. The rules will save money for patients, employers and insurers including the government at the expense of drug company profits. They also could eventually cut the earnings of drugmakers in the United States, the world’s largest pharmaceutical market.