Who is responsible for regulating prescription drug costs in Canada?

The responsibility for regulating prescription drug costs in Canada falls primarily to the Patent Medicines Prices Review Board (PMPRB). The PMPRB is an independent quasi-judicial body established to oversee the prices of patented drugs to ensure they are not excessive. It sets price guidelines and conducts reviews of drug prices to determine whether they comply with the established regulations.

The PMPRB's mandate includes evaluating the pricing practices of pharmaceutical companies and preventing them from charging excessively high prices for their patented medications. This plays a crucial role in making prescription medications more affordable for Canadians and ensuring access to necessary healthcare without undue financial burden.

The other organizations mentioned have different roles. Health Canada is responsible for the approval and safety of drugs but does not regulate prices. The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) assesses the clinical and cost-effectiveness of drugs and provides guidance to healthcare decision-makers rather than directly regulating prices. The National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee (NDSAC) focuses on the scheduling of drugs, determining whether a drug can be sold over-the-counter or requires a prescription, without involvement in price regulation. Hence, the PMPRB is distinctly designated for the regulation of prescription drug costs, making it the right answer.