Prescription drugs, while an essential component of the health care system, present several challenges. For example, they are the fastest growing and second largest category of health care expenditure in Canada. While governments have concerns about sustainability, citizens expect the latest drugs to be available to them, regardless of cost. There are also concerns about drug safety. Improved, "real-world," population-based evidence is needed on the impact of the use of new drugs on both patients and the health system outcomes related to the treatment of a particular condition within the patient population.

Recognizing this need, in April 2007, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced the Drug Innovation Fund with $5 million available annually to provide Ontario researchers with funding to support evidence-based research examining the impact on drugs on patient outcomes and health system outcomes - including non-drug costs.
read about our Drug Innovation Fund progress  >>