Insurer creates new role to tackle cost of drugs

Canada’s largest insurer created the role of Director of Pharmaceutical Relations to tackle one of the industry’s most pressing concerns.

Manulife is moving to tackle the significant challenges advisors and the industry are facing with the cost and accessibility of prescription drugs by appointing Dr. Laureen Rance to the new role of Director of Pharmaceutical Relations.
    
This appointment is part of Manulife's pharmacy benefits strategy that is aiming to ensure benefit plans are sustainable now and in the future.
     
"Without an action plan, the increasing prevalence of high-cost specialty drugs will impact the sustainability of private drug plans," said Lisa Callaghan, Assistant Vice-President, Group Benefits Product at Manulife. "Led by Dr. Rance, Manulife will work with pharmaceutical manufacturers to help millions of Canadians through their employer sponsored benefit plans access valuable and innovative drugs, with the right support, at a prudent cost."

Rance has more two decades of experience in health care, starting off as a staff pharmacist in both retail and hospital settings. She then transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry, where she worked as a reimbursement strategist with a focus on health economics and outcomes research supporting numerous therapeutic categories with resulting publications.

"My extensive background working with varied pharmaceutical stakeholders will enable me to work with the manufacturers," said Rance. "Together we will find effective ways to continue to provide Manulife customers with affordable access to medication and quality care."
 

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