A Better Health Care System

• Every dollar invested in newer medicines relieves the health care system of expenses seven times greater in other medical areas. About 2/3 of this reduction is in hospital costs, and the other 1/3 represents physician and home care costs.
   
• In addition, patented prescription medicines account for less than 7 cents of every dollar spent on health care.
   
• Our medicines and vaccines are cost-effective and help ease the pressure on our hospitals. The hospitalization rate in Canada has fallen by 35% since 1985, despite an aging population.
   
• From 1983-2001 hospitalization rates have decreased by 75% for ulcers, 71% for HIV/AIDS, 44% for diabetes and respiratory diseases, and 31% for chronic liver disease.