AGENDA
2007 Drug Innovations Forum
September 13, 2007
This event will take place in the morning at the Old Mill Inn, where speakers will talk and help educate delegates about their chosen topic,
and then the day will conclude with a formal lunch!
FORUM
7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Opening remarks
8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Session One
1A: The Current Challenges of Treating HIV
It is estimated that over 43,000 people in Canada are currently infected with the HIV virus, 22,000 of whom are actively being treated. The HIV virus enters the immune cells (CD4) and utilizes it as a factory in producing billions of viral particles per day.
In no other therapeutic area, has there been such incredible growth in drug development in treating a disease state than in HIV/AIDs. Since 1985, there have been several classes of agents and over 20 drugs brought to the market. These agents have extended lives of many HIV positive patients. With these therapies however, there are side effects and challenges that need to be dealt with in order to maintain and improve the quality of life of these patients. Some of these challenges include metabolic and cardiovascular complications that accompany these therapies. As well there are the issues of adherence to a lifelong therapy and the need for simplicity of the chosen regimens.
Presenter: Dr. Mitra Montazeri, Medical Science, Liaison-Scientific Affairs, Virology, Bristol-Myers Squibb (B-MS).
[Download the Presentation]
1B: Biologics: Small Molecule vs. the New Large Molecule Biologic Drugs
Biologics or protein therapeutics are large molecules that are produced through living sources, usually bacteria or mammalian cells. Biologics differ in a number of ways from traditional medicines, which are typically small molecules. For example, biologics are rationally designed to bind with high specificity to cell surface receptors. By contrast, small molecules are less specific and exert their effects inside cells. The manufacturing and production of biologics are also more complex. Biologics have revolutionized the treatment of several diseases including cancer. Almost 30 per cent of the drugs in clinical development are biologics and in the future, these products are likely to help us find solutions to many unmet medical needs.
Presenter: Willena Talbot, Senior Regional Medical Liaison, Amgen Canada
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Session One Designated Respondent: Gordon Polk President, Drug Benefit Consulting
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Networking Break
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Session Two
2A: Impact of Benefit Plan Design on Cost and Health Outcomes
Employer drug plans play an important role in ensuring access to prescription medications that help keep employees healthy, satisfied, and productive. However, drug plan costs have been rising for many years, and employers are often tempted to make significant changes to these programs in order to contain costs. This paper will describe the findings of a literature review undertaken to investigate the effects of drug plan design changes on treatment adherence, costs, utilization of related health services, and member satisfaction. The importance of having an overall health plan framework to establish principles, strategy and tactics will be discussed. Employers that take the time to develop sound operating principles, strategy, and tactics will be rewarded with more effective, integrated, and supportable health plan decision-making that will help control an organization’s overall health costs.
Presenters: Warren Chin, President, Ilex Consulting Inc. and Chris Bonnett, President, H3 Consulting
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2B: Inhaled Insulin: Exubera - Helping Diabetics Who Require Insulin to Improve Blood Glucose Control
Exubera is the first inhalable, non-injectable insulin approved since the discovery of insulin over 80 years ago. Many diabetics who require insulin are reluctant to initiate or intensify insulin use. Increasing insulin acceptance can make a real difference since blood glucose control is the most critical determinant of successful diabetes management. Exubera represents one of a kind innovation that has increased patient acceptance of needed insulin therapy, resulting in improved blood glucose control and will assist employers in reducing costs associated with lost productivity and absenteeism.
Presenter: Martin Chung, Senior Manager, Private Sector Strategy and Partnership Development, Pfizer Canada
Session Two Designated Respondent: Linda Bicho-Vachon, Manager, Pension and Benefits, Aon Reed Stenhouse
11:00 a.m. – 11:40 p.m. Session Three
New emerging diabetes therapies: will they impact the diabetes epidemic?
The diabetes epidemic is a worldwide concern. The incidence and prevalence of the disease is increasing exponentially.
Patients with type 2 diabetes carry a 2-5 fold increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. While attacking the factors responsible for macrovascular disease (dyslipidemia, hypertension, increased vascular inflammatory markers, and hypercoagulability) is proven to decreased arteriosclerotic disease and surrogate markers, control of glycemia remains elusive in more than 50% of patients with diabetes. Attaining normal or near normal glucose levels and profiles (including postprandial glucose and A1C) requires early aggressive treatment and the use of combination therapy of antihyperglycemic agents (including insulin) in concert with life-style intervention. Medications currently available in the Canadian markets when used optimally can attain glycemic control early on in the course of the disease. As type 2 diabetes progresses, Beta-cell ability to maintain adequate insulin secretion deteriorates. This result is worsening of glycemic control. It is tempting to speculate that using this class of drugs in pre-diabetes might be one of the most productive ways of prevention of type 2 diabetes in conjunction with intensive life-style modifying programs.
Presenter: Dr. Amir Hanna, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
[Download the Presentation]
Session Three Designated Respondent: Steven Semelman Vice-President, Pharmacy Business Initiatives REXALL Family of Pharmacies-Katz Group Canada
11:40 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. Closing Remarks
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
* AGENDA IS FINAL
For more information about this event or this webpage, contact Jennifer Minto Assistant Editor, Conferences
This page was last updated on September 11, 2007
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