Ontario Regulation 64/23, enacted under the Ontario Drug Benefit Act, introduces revisions to the regulations governing Ontario’s drug benefit program. This regulation addresses modifications to fiscal calculations and definitions associated with the program.

The regulation revises subsection 16 (2) of O. Reg. 201/96. Previously, this section outlined specific financial adjustments applicable to the drug benefit program. The new amendment stipulates that no further financial deductions will be made for the fifth fiscal year if the cumulative deductions from the first through fifth fiscal years reach or exceed $237.1 million. This change introduces a new clause (e), which alters the calculation of deductions for the fifth fiscal year, ensuring that no additional reductions are applied once the $237.1 million threshold is met.

Subsection 16 (3) originally referenced an end date of March 31, 2023. The amendment extends this date to March 31, 2024. This extension is likely intended to provide additional time for the implementation of the changes or to accommodate evolving financial conditions.

A new definition has been added to clarify the term “fifth fiscal year.” According to the amendment, the fifth fiscal year is defined as the period from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. This clarification ensures precise application of the new financial rules and adjustments introduced by the regulation.

Section 16 of O. Reg. 201/96, as amended by the aforementioned changes, is entirely revoked. This revocation indicates that the prior provisions of this section are now obsolete and are replaced by updated regulations that better address the current needs of the drug benefit program.

Source: Ontario (64/23), April 15, 2023