Control Behind the Curtains: The Big Pharma Show in the Canadian Political System
Canada, known for its robust healthcare system, has not been immune to the influence of pharmaceutical giants on its political landscape. Big Pharma, comprising multinational pharmaceutical corporations (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, etc), has wielded significant power globally, and its impact on the Canadian political system has raised concerns about transparency, public health priorities, and the integrity of democratic processes. Big Pharma lobbying efforts refer to the systematic and strategic actions undertaken by major pharmaceutical companies, collectively known as Big Pharma, to influence government policies, regulations, and decision-making processes. These efforts typically involve engaging with legislators, policymakers, and regulatory authorities to shape laws and regulations that affect the pharmaceutical industry.
This issue has specifically come into light due to the consistent efforts by the Canadian government to resist the international effort to temporarily lift patents on vaccines and other essential medicines, ignoring the need for equal distribution of vaccines and their medical formula. The presence of patents on vaccines prevents vaccines from reaching low-income countries as the high cost of patented vaccines make them inaccessible to populations that need them the most, perpetuating global health inequities. Also, the patents existing for vaccines meant for dire times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, create the impression of corporate greed, as patented vaccines are known to be more profitable than non-patented vaccines, and due to this greed, the vaccines are only targeted for the highest bidder not the most susceptible to COVID-19. Unfortunately, the Canadian government has not released any data on COVID-19 initial vaccine and booster costs, but according to the United States (U.S.) federal government, there has been a 56% increase in the price per dose for the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine and 73% increase for Moderna. Specifically, the bivalent costs ~$130 USD compared to the initial COVID-19 vaccine from 2021 which was ~$20 USD. This increase is somewhat unclear as costs for bivalent boosters should decrease since they have a foundational mRNA, which has not increased more than 5% since the initial vaccine discovery. This prevents uninsured individuals in both Canada and the U.S., specifically minority groups (Black identifying, Asian, Indigenous groups, etc.) from receiving valuable and effective doses to prevent infection and illness from new variants of COVID-19, as insured individuals have access to the free COVID-19 bivalent doses.
Due to such grasp on vaccine prices, it is prominent that the Canadian and U.S. governments, individuals responsible for the best interests of its people, have not been able to control the pricing and Big Pharma’s decisions to best allocate equity of medications across all groups. As the public knows the government to be the stronghold of power, the lack of decisions goes to show that there is a higher power they answer to.
Certain areas of concern have included lobbying expenditures, political contributions, and revolving door phenomenon where the influential individuals of political system and pharmaceutical industries have come together to change Canada’s political control over Big Pharma.
Buy The Political Influence
One of the primary ways pharmaceutical companies exert influence in Canada is through lobbying efforts and political contributions. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) in 2023 by Lauren Vogel highlighted the substantial lobbying expenditures by pharmaceutical companies in Canada, emphasizing the financial influence they wield in shaping healthcare policies. Real-time data from the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada (OCLC) reveals that pharmaceutical companies consistently rank among the top spenders in terms of lobbying expenditures. According to The Council of Canadians, from March 2022 to January 2023, Big Pharma and lobby groups have recorded just over three times more lobbying communications with Health Canada compared to their averages from 2015 to 2019. These lobbying efforts have not only shaped the pharmaceutical industry in Canada but have also preventing Canada from making any further relationships with other foreign pharmaceutical companies to provide Canadians with novel and effective medications to help solve many medical issues.
These lobbying activities range from advocating for favorable drug pricing policies to influencing regulations that impact market access and intellectual property rights. By strategically investing in lobbying, Big Pharma seeks to shape legislation in ways that benefit their bottom line, often at the expense of broader public health considerations.
The influence of Big Pharma extends beyond day-to-day lobbying efforts, with political campaign contributions playing a significant role. Analysis of Elections Canada data indicated significant political contributions from pharmaceutical companies to various political parties and candidates. The soar in Big Pharma lobbying form 2022 – 2023 came from bipartisan plan to progress pharmacare equality in Canada. Big Pharma has stepped up its lobbying game ever since the federal NDP struck a deal to force Liberal Party’s minority government to make progress on national pharmacare, in order to serve 7.5 million Canadians without drug coverage. This financial involvement raised concerns about the potential impact on policy decisions related to drug pricing, intellectual property, and regulatory frameworks being used when creating the national pharmacare plan, also known as the Canada Pharmacare Act.
Critics argue that such contributions may create a conflict of interest, as policymakers may feel indebted to these companies when making decisions that affect the pharmaceutical industry. As the Canada Pharmacare Act will create a national pharmacare program to lower prices of medications and gain a tighter control on Big Pharma policies, the increase in lobbying by these companies risks negatively affecting some policymakers’ decisions when signing off on this act. This dynamic raises questions about whether the priorities of the Canadian political system are truly aligned with the best interests of the public or if they are disproportionately influenced by corporate contributors.
Join The Dark Pharma Side
The revolving door phenomenon, where individuals seamlessly transition between positions in the government and the pharmaceutical industry, further blurs the lines between public service and corporate interests. Sharon Batt’s book, Health Advocacy Inc, sheds light on the revolving door phenomenon, documenting instances where former government officials, particularly those involved in health and regulatory bodies, transitioned to positions within pharmaceutical companies. The book raised questions about the potential influence of industry insiders on health policies. As many politicians have not directly worked with pharmaceutical companies, the close connection of the pharmaceutical industry to the Canadian political system forces the politicians to come into contact with them and through lobbying and power, politicians are “advised” to agree in the best interest of Big Pharma.
This phenomenon raises concerns about the potential for regulatory capture, where industry insiders, once embedded in regulatory bodies, may prioritize the interests of their former employers over the public interest. The implications of this revolving door dynamic on drug approvals, pricing, and overall healthcare policy warrant close scrutiny.
Will Big Pharma’s Control End?
While pharmaceutical companies play a crucial role in advancing medical innovation, their influence on the Canadian political system demands careful scrutiny. Real-time data from various studies and surveys supports the assertion that Big Pharma's lobbying efforts, campaign contributions, and the revolving door phenomenon have the potential to shape policies in ways that may not always align with the best interests of the public. The Canada Pharmacare Act being one of forefront plans in discussion for 2024 for the Liberal Party, the exponential increase in lobbying may put the act at risk and prevent national pharmacare incentives from reaching Canadians. As Canada continues to grapple with these challenges and has seen consistent increase in pharmaceutical lobbying, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical governance becomes paramount to maintaining the integrity of its political system and safeguarding the well-being of its citizens.