(Quebec) There will be no increase in the maximum amount of the annual premium for Quebec’s public prescription drug insurance plan (RPAM) within one year, which will therefore remain at $710 until June 30, 2023.
Posted at 7:50 a.m.
The decision was endorsed by the Council of Ministers following a recommendation by the board of directors of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, explains this freeze by the savings generated by agreements with manufacturers who want new products to be included in the Lists of medications under the general drug insurance plan. The favorable pricing conditions and discounts provided by these agreements thus mitigate the cost associated with covering new drugs.
Minister Dubé specifies that the switch to biosimilar products, which are much less expensive than the reference biological products, has made it possible to free up sufficient leeway making it possible to freeze the insurance premium.
In addition to the freezing of the maximum amount, other contribution parameters remain unchanged, in particular the amount of the deductible, set at $22.25, and the proportion of coinsurance, set at 35%, as well as the monthly contribution of certain people aged 65 and over.