I rise to today to advise you, and members of this Legislative Assembly, that our government is about to embark on a major effort to bring about much-needed changes to Ontario's drug system.

These changes will result in a stronger, more effective, more transparent drug system for the people of Ontario. A system that puts patients first, and enhances their access to truly innovative drugs.

A system that gives our province and her people good value for the money they spend.

Mr. Speaker, innovation in public health care has been one of the defining characteristics of this government. This package of reforms is one more part of that agenda of innovation.

And, as with all of the health care reforms we've introduced, our purpose is clear : it is to preserve and strengthen Ontario's system of public health care.

Our government believes passionately that our public health care system is the best system for Ontario patients. And it's the best system for our province, enhancing our economic competitiveness and making us a more desirable place to live, work and invest.

Our challenge – our obligation – is to ensure the system's sustainability. And one crucial part of meeting this challenge is ensuring that taxpayers receive fair value for their dollar.

When it comes to Ontario's drug system, this has not been the case.

Not only have taxpayers not received fair value for their dollar, there are a number of other weaknesses and problems throughout the entire drug system.

The drug review process is too slow.

Patients' voices aren't heard.

It's not transparent, and that lack of transparency has permitted shrewd marketing campaigns to portray drugs that offer only incremental benefits as – quote – “breakthrough drugs”.

Pharmacists aren't sufficiently involved in the system.

There are disturbing problems with the drug distribution system and with the business practices of some who operate within it.

It is a system riddled with inefficiencies, where doctors, for example, are forced to spend far too much time on paperwork instead of patient care.

The list is long, and the case for change is strong.

So I stand before you today, Mr. Speaker, to inform you and to inform this house that changes are coming.

Later this week our government will be introducing legislation to address a number of these issues. It will be a package of reforms built on one overriding principle :

Patients will be the beneficiaries.

There will be no reduction whatsoever to the benefits they are currently receiving. None.

The changes we are introducing will provide patients with greater access to better drugs, faster, and if we are unable to fund a drug people will be told why not.

Speaker, our reforms will also save taxpayers money.

What this proposal is all about is ensuring that the $3.5 billion we spend every year on drugs for Ontarians is respected… that taxpayers are rewarded for the enormous volumes that are involved.

Standard business practice: volumes are rewarded.

The biggest customer gets the best price.

But for some reason that hasn't been the case here in Ontario when it comes to government purchasing drugs.

Well that has to change. And it's going to change.

Mr. Speaker, let me also tell you and all those who are listening to these remarks that our package of reforms is a very balanced package.

It's a package that balances the needs and interests of retailers, drug manufacturers, doctors, pharmacists and, most important, patients.

All of these groups are key players in Ontario's drug system. And each of them has a role to play in building a stronger and more effective system. Our package balances their needs and expectations, and is fair to all.

And let me also state clearly that our government recognizes the tremendously valuable work done by Ontario's drug companies, particularly with respect to research. The money they spend on R&D; is money well spent. No one should doubt that they deserve to be fairly compensated for truly innovative breakthrough drugs, and they will be.

Mr. Speaker, in the coming days there may be those who attempt to take one or two elements of our package out of context and raise a cry of alarm about the hardship being inflicted upon them. That is neither appropriate nor helpful.

And so I have a challenge for them, and particularly for my colleague the Leader of the Opposition.

His health care policy appears to rely on his finding efficiency in the current system.

Why does he not support the kind of innovation that secures better access to better drugs for patients, and respects taxpayers by obtaining better value for their money.

That will be the challenge for all our opponents in the days to come, Mr. Speaker, because on this file, simplistic negative rhetoric will not be good enough!

As I said a moment ago, Mr. Speaker, the reforms we are planning to introduce are essential.

They are about providing patients with the right drug, at the right price, in the right place at the right time.

They are about creating a drug system that is efficient, transparent, accountable and fair, as part of an overall public health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.

The people of this province deserve no less. And we will deliver no less.

Thank you.