News

Updates for Patient Groups - November 2014

Short Videos on Patient Input into the CADTH Common Drug Review

CADTH recently produced four short videos describing:

  • why CADTH values patient input
  • what elements are most useful to reviewers and expert committee members in groups' patient input submissions
  • how to submit input.

Canadian Drug Expert Committee Public Member, Frank Gavin and former Public Member, Cate Dobhran provide their perspectives, as do Chander Sehgal, Director of the CADTH Common Drug Review and Optimal Use of Drugs, and Elaine MacPhail, Senior Advisor at CADTH. You can view the videos on CADTH's YouTube channel. Please share them with your patient group members or other interested groups.

Short Videos: How to Guide

Farewell to Elaine MacPhail

Elaine's retirement marks the end of an era for CADTH. Beginning in 2002, she managed the interim Common Drug Review program, consulted and worked with 18 different drug plans to develop the initial procedures for the permanent CADTH Common Drug Review, and was instrumental in establishing CADTH's process for patient group input. We are indebted to her for her vision and commitment to helping make CADTH such a valuable resource to the Canadian health care system.

Looking forward, CADTH will continue to support and further enhance CADTH's patient engagement. CADTH recently welcomed Ken Bond to the position of Director of Strategic Initiatives, responsible for patient engagement at CADTH. He will be working with many others to support CADTH's patient engagement processes in the Common Drug Review, pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Therapeutic Review, medical devices, and early scientific advice areas.

Patient Input Submission Tip

Be specific about the advantages and limitations of current therapies. For example, it is helpful if you can explain details like "seven of the nine survey responders said drugs X and Y failed to relieve pain, while three of the nine responders who had used drug Z reported that while it reduced their pain it also caused prolonged drowsiness that severely limited their ability to go to work or school."