TACT Rx: specialized training course in health

Optimize your market access skills and stay ahead of pharmaceutical and technological innovations.

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Perfect your knowledge and skills in an environment where healthcare innovation is rapidly evolving.

TACT Rx, the new identity of the USOP Rx platform founded in 2018 by Dan Cooper, is now expanding its horizons. Our training courses will strengthen your skills in the optimal use of medications, market access, government relations, drug reimbursement, technologies and health devices in Quebec and Canada.

Who are our training courses for?

Our training courses are designed for pharmaceutical companies, healthcare and pharmaceutical industry professionals, patient associations, and any other individuals or groups specializing in the field who wish to gain a strategic advantage in accessing drugs and health technologies.

Who are our training courses for?

Our training courses

Training course on Access Challenges and Reimbursement

The series on access challenges offers specialized training courses designed to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms, policies, and challenges surrounding drug access. These courses aim to provide a better understanding of the current systems, enable informed intervention, and encourage active participation in discussions surrounding the equity and sustainability of access to treatment.

This series provides an in-depth understanding of drug access mechanisms, analyzing systemic challenges involved, and identifying possible levers for action to favor equitable, effective, and sustainable access to treatment.

The training courses address the mechanisms and challenges associated with access to medicines and aim to identify the key levers that support equitable and sustainable access to treatments.

The "Patient d’exception" and "Nécessité médicale particulière (NMP)" measures

This training course provides an in-depth understanding of exceptional access measures for drugs in Quebec, including the Exceptional Patient Measure and cases of Special Medical Necessity (in hospitals). These are key mechanisms for accessing drugs that are not listed on the RAMQ List of Medications or the List of Medications for Institutions. You will learn how these measures enable certain patients to obtain essential treatments which are often awaiting approval or not recommended by INESSS.

The training course covers eligibility criteria, the prior authorization application process, clinical and pharmacoeconomic challenges, and other practical and regulatory considerations.

This training course can be customized to your therapeutic area or products of choice.

Santé Québec: Bill 15 and Access Challenges

Minister Christian Dubé has kicked off a major transformation of the healthcare system. The primary objective is to make the system more efficient. The implementation of Santé Québec is the centrepiece of this transformation. But how will it all unfold?

To fully understand the ins and outs of this reform, this training course explores in depth the objectives behind the creation of Santé Québec, the process and steps that will shape this new organization, and the new role that the Ministry of Health and Social Services will be called upon to play. After completing this training course, you will be able to navigate this period of major change with confidence.

Drug reimbursement in Canada and the specifics of drug access in Quebec

This training course will provide you with knowledge about the regulatory and economic path of a drug in Canada, the differences between public and private plans, exceptional access mechanisms (e.g., the Exceptional Patient measure in Quebec), and the impact of healthcare reform and the creation of Santé Québec.

After completing this training course, you will be able to understand the journey of a drug, from approval to reimbursement, identify the roles of the main federal and provincial agencies, and explore the specificities of Quebec in the context of healthcare reform.

Update on the context of access in Quebec and the INESSS submission guide

Discover the latest updates to the INESSS submission guide (June 2025), including the new ” Patient d’exception” and “Nécessité médicale particulière (NMP)” measures. This training course provides a comprehensive overview of administrative requirements, new forms, evaluation criteria, and best practises for preparing and submitting files to INESSS. Ideal for professionals in the pharmaceutical and market access sectors, this session will enable you to master the updated procedures, anticipate regulatory impacts, and optimize your submission process in Quebec.

Evaluation of drugs for the treatment of rare diseases

Rare diseases present specific challenges in terms of treatment evaluation, access and reimbursement. This training course offers an in-depth comparative analysis of the approaches of two key: INESSS in Quebec and the CDA at the federal level.

After completing this training course, you will be able to understand the principles and criteria used by INESSS and the CDA to evaluate drugs for rare diseases and identify differences in clinical, economic, ethical, and societal approaches.

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Training course on Government Relations and Market Access

These training courses aim to strengthen your skills in market access and government relations within the healthcare sector. They will help you better understand political and regulatory challenges, develop relevant advocacy strategies, and master the listing and negotiation process. The practical proposed approach allow to optimize product positioning, reduce access times, and build essential skills in strategic management and negotiation.

Market Access and Government Relations

This training course will enable you to master the strategic levers for accelerating access to pharmaceutical products and medical devices. You will learn how to develop effective influence strategies and interact with provincial and federal authorities to optimize positioning and reduce access delays. A practical approach to understanding the political and regulatory dynamics that shape the health and technology market.

Strategic Process: From Listing Recommendation to Negotiation

This training course explores the registration and negotiation process in depth, from preparing recommendations to concluding agreements. You will discover how to develop pricing strategies, participate in negotiations with the APP, the MSSS, and provincial jurisdictions, and mobilize key players to accelerate access. A unique opportunity to develop practical skills in negotiation and strategic relationship management.

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Training course on the Drug and Health Technology Evaluation Process

This training series offers basic training on the drug assessment process and criteria set out in Quebec’s National Institute for Health and Social Services Excellence Act (INESSS). These courses give participants a better understanding of the drug assessment process and criteria.

Completing this training will equip you with the basic principles for obteining a submission that meets INESSS expectations.

An introduction to the drug evaluation process and criteria, along with an overview of the fundamentals required to prepare a submission that meets the Institute’s expectations.

Evaluation process of the Institut national d’excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS) in Quebec

Introduction to the drug evaluation process and criteria

This training course provides an overview of the entire drug evaluation process in Quebec and the various evaluation criteria applied by the Institut national d’excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS). All recommendations for listing drugs on the lists are based on these criteria.

Therapeutic value according to INESSS

This training course provides a better understanding of the therapeutic value of a drug as a key evaluation criterion. The training helps differentiate between the concepts of efficacy and therapeutic value while addressing the key elements that enable their evaluation.

Fair pricing and the relationship between the cost and effectiveness of drugs

This training course provides an introduction to this important evaluation criterion. It addresses how to apply pharmacoeconomic criteria as a decision-making tool. An introduction to pharmacoeconomics and a brief summary of the different types of studies are presented.

The consequences of listing the drug on the list for the health of the population and other components of the healthcare system

This training course addresses the main aspects of assessing this evaluation criterion, such as budget impact analysis, organizational impact, and several other aspects to consider when evaluating the consequences of listing the drug.

The appropriateness of listing the drug on the list in relation to the general drug insurance plan

This training course covers ethical and societal aspects as well as the different perspectives to consider when evaluating a drug: those of the clinician, the patient, and the citizen. The objective of the general plan and the scope of this evaluation criterion are presented.

Clinical and economic evaluation of biosimilars and access challenges

This training course will teach you about the characteristics of a biosimilar and what distinguishes it from the reference biological drug. The biosimilar evaluation process and its particularities in Quebec, Canada, and internationally (with a few examples) are presented. The training course also provides a better understanding of the impact of biological agents on the healthcare system and existing policies on the appropriate use of biosimilars. In addition, certain strategies developed here and elsewhere to address rising drug costs are presented.

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Drug Evaluation by INESSS: Analysis of Specific Recommendations

Evaluation of Biologic Drugs for the Treatment of Different Forms of Arthritis

This series of specialized training courses covers three treatments for different forms of arthritis.

Remsima^TM (infliximab SC): Rheumatoid polyarthritis

This training course will provide you with knowledge about subcutaneous (SC) infliximab for the treatment of rheumatoid polyarthritis. Clinical data on the efficacy and safety of SC infliximab compared to intravenous infliximab are presented. A summary of pharmacoeconomic data is also presented, including a comparison of treatment costs with comparators according to INESSS.

Rinvoq^TM (upadacitinib): Psoriatic arthritis

This training course will enable you to learn about oral upadacitinib for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. It focuses on the medication’s mechanism of action and presents clinical data on the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib compared to its comparators. The presentation also compares treatment costs according to INESSS. The criteria for inclusion as an exceptional medication on the RAMQ Drug Formulary are also explained.

Actemra^TM (tocilizumab SC): Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (polyarticular and systemic)

This training course presents the evaluation of subcutaneous (SC) tocilizumab for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Clinical data on the efficacy and safety of SC tocilizumab compared to intravenous tocilizumab are presented, along with a comparison of treatment costs with comparators. The criteria for inclusion as an exceptional drug on the RAMQ List of Medication are also explained.

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Evaluation of drugs for the treatment and prevention of migraine

This training course focuses on four treatments for migraine in adults. It presents the available clinical data on efficacy and safety, as well as a summary of pharmacoeconomic data, including budget impact analysis and reimbursement criteria. The concepts of adherence, compliance, and persistence with treatment are also discussed, as well as the cost-consequential analyses which INESSS takes into account in its evaluation. The recognized indication for reimbursement is also clearly outlined.

Emgality^TM (galcanezumab): preventive treatment of migraine

This training course will provide you with knowledge about galcanezumab for the prevention of migraine in adults. Clinical data on efficacy and safety are presented. A summary of pharmacoeconomic data, budget impact analysis, and proposed reimbursement criteria are also presented.

Botox^TM (onabotulinumtoxinA): treatment of chronic migraine

This training course will provide you with knowledge about onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of chronic migraine in adults. It covers adherence, compliance, and persistence of treatment, as well as the INESSS cost-consequence analysis. The recognized indication for reimbursement is presented.

Ajovy^TM (fremanezumab): preventive treatment of migraine in adults

This training course will provide you with knowledge about fremanezumab for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. Clinical data on efficacy and safety are presented, as well as the patient perspective and the HIT-6 (Headache Impact Test) score. The recognized indication for reimbursement is presented.

Vyepti^TM (eptinezumab): preventive treatment of migraine

This training course will provide you with knowledge about eptinezumab for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. Clinical data on efficacy and safety are described and analyzed. The recognized indication for reimbursement is presented.

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Methodological Training

This series of specialized training courses highlights various concepts specific to the clinical, pharmacoepidemiological, and pharmacoeconomic evaluation of drugs. Examples of topics covered include study designs, biostatistical analyses, types of bias, cost-effectiveness analysis and other pharmacoeconomic designs, quality of life, QALY, literature reviews, etc.

This series will help you demystify scientific concepts for a better understanding of clinical and economic drug evaluations.

Discover the key concepts of clinical, pharmacoepidemiological, and pharmacoeconomic evaluations to better understand the scientific and economic analyses of medicines.

Introduction to pharmacoeconomics and critical analysis workshops

This training course will provide you with knowledge about pharmacoeconomics in the context of health technology assessment in Canada and Quebec.

A critical analysis workshop is also offered (practical case study).

Systematic literature reviews

This training course provides an in-depth understanding of the key stages of research, from formulating questions and developing a literature search strategy to selecting and evaluating studies, synthesizing results, and writing reports that comply with international standards.

Ideal for researchers, students, and health professionals, this training course will enable participants to master the techniques necessary to evaluate scientific literature in a rigorous and comprehensive manner.

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Our commitment to helping you

Whether you want a ready-to-use module or customized training tailored to your needs, for yourself or your entire team, don’t hesitate to contact us. We have a solution for your training needs!

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A tailor-made approach

In French or English

Remotely or in-person

For individuals or groups

Duration varies according to your needs

An experienced and specialized team

When you call on TACT Rx, you benefit from the diverse expertise of trainers in market access, government relations, clinical and pharmacoeconomic evaluation of drugs and health technologies, as well as scientific and epidemiological methodology. Our specialists understand market access challenges and have in-depth knowledge of the strategic aspects of evaluation, including the dynamics of negotiation surrounding public and private reimbursement for drugs and health technologies.

Our team is composed of experienced TACT advisors as well as recognized collaborators and experts from our network of contacts with whom we share the same passion and goal: the optimal use and reimbursement of drugs and health technologies and a strategic approach to market access.

An experienced and specialized team

Our specialists understand market access challenges and have in-depth knowledge of the strategic aspects of evaluation, including the dynamics of negotiation surrounding public and private reimbursement for drugs and health technologies.