The Decibel The bureaucracy slowing down access to life-saving drugs
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Nov 21, 2025 In this discussion, health reporter Kelly Grant and business of healthcare reporter Chris Hannay dive into the challenges that cancer patients face in accessing vital therapies like CAR-T drugs. They explore the complexities of Canada's drug approval and pricing processes, detailing why even approved treatments can take years to reach patients. The duo highlights the stark implications of these delays through personal stories, underscoring the urgent need for reforms to prioritize patient access over bureaucratic hurdles.
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Patient's Journey To A Blocked Treatment
- Jazz Velich describes severe pain and lengthy ER visits before a cancer diagnosis and months of treatments that left him bedridden.
- He learned about CAR-T (Carvicti) online and hoped it would free him from weekly chemotherapy but it isn’t available in Canada.
Approval ≠ Access In Canada
- Canada requires multiple approvals and price negotiations after Health Canada approves a drug, prolonging access.
- Carvicti was approved in 2023 but stalled when price talks between Johnson & Johnson and the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance collapsed.
Sticker Price Vs Actual Cost
- List prices for complex therapies like CAR-T can be extremely high but rarely reflect final public-plan costs.
- Kelly Grant notes the $632,455 list price is an opening sticker that governments typically negotiate down.