These initiatives, and even more importantly, the presence of a longer-term strategy for dealing with such chronic conditions, indicate a clear appreciation of the substantial financial burden of diabetes and its complications. This burden is felt by both people with the disease, and those picking up the tab for treatment, namely the healthcare system in general and third party payers.

Consider that, on an individual basis, a person with diabetes incurs medical costs that are two to three times higher than that of a person without diabetes. Then, we need to factor in the sheer number and growth in the number of individuals with diabetes in our aging population. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), more than two million Canadians currently have diabetes, a number that is expected to rise to three million by the end of the decade. Finally, if we then factor in the development and availability of novel therapies, such as Januvia™ (detailed in our Drug & Disease News section this month), which are up to 10 times the cost of traditional therapies, we can see just how quickly these factors add up to an enormous expense.

Yet, do Canadian employers, who cover a majority of the drug benefit costs for diabetic plan members, have this same appreciation and understanding of the impact of diabetes within their plan? Do they understand:

It is widely recognized that diabetes is a chronic disease that cannot be cured, only prevented or managed. Unless employers follow the government's lead with a strategic approach that considers both prevention and management, the impact of this area will explode for their plans in the near future.

IN THIS ISSUE...

First Regulations for Ontario's Transparent Drug System for Patients Act 2006 Come into Effect Cubic Health Canadian Employer Benchmarks Now Available Novel Diabetes Drug Approved in U.S. NOC Watch Plan Sponsors Concerned with Drug Plan Costs but Unsure of the Underlying Cost Drivers - What Now?