How Drugs Are Considered: Funding Decisions

The Committee to Evaluate Drugs (CED)

The Committee to Evaluate Drugs (CED is the Ministry's independent expert advisory committee on drug-related issues and is established by Order-in-Council under the authority of section 9 of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act.

The CED provides an essential service to the ministry by evaluating the clinical value of drug products, interchangeability of generic drug products and cost-effectiveness of drugs through its rigorous and evidence-based reviews. These reviews result in recommendations being made to the Executive Officer regarding the coverage of these products through the Ontario Public Drug Programs; the Executive Officer makes the final decision, taking into consideration the recommendations and public interest. The CED also provides the Ministry with advice on a broad range of policy issues relating to the use of drugs.

The CED is comprised of a Chair and 16 members appointed by Orders in Council. Two of the 16 CED members are patient representatives.  The remaining CED members are practicing physicians, pharmacists, and an economist who have expertise in a wide range of specialties including geriatrics, infectious disease, family medicine, pharmacology, health economics, epidemiology and other disciplines. Additional information on the CED membership and its terms of reference can be accessed at the following website: www.pas.gov.on.ca.

To support improved transparency and accountability, the CED recommendations and Executive Officer decisions are available publicly.