Unprecedented

Message from the Board Chair

Health system decisions are shaped by many factors, but one of the most important is evidence.

In a year of unprecedented challenges, CADTH continued to deliver on a fundamental need of all health system decision-makers — credible evidence.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to present CADTH’s 2020–2021 Annual Report, outlining the many achievements of CADTH that were accomplished during the difficult circumstances of a global pandemic.

The pandemic touched all aspects of the agency’s work, directly or indirectly. And I am proud of how everyone at CADTH stepped up, with innovation, creativity, and resilience on full display.

Not only were the core activities of the agency delivered with their usual quality and care, but we also responded to the rapidly evolving needs of the health care system as it battled a virus spreading across the country.

At a time when large volumes of evidence moved to publication at a breakneck pace, CADTH’s skills in evidence appraisal, rapid synthesis, and horizon scanning were in demand. As emerging therapies and products for COVID-19 came to the fore, assessments were delivered to support pan-Canadian pandemic responses and to help guide implementation discussions for novel, and urgently needed, health technologies.

CADTH also recognized the importance of its core programs to jurisdictions. In the midst of intense disruption to parts of the health system, CADTH stayed the course and continued to deliver reimbursement recommendations to meet the needs of decision-makers and patients. Health technology reviews and rapid evidence reviews also continued without interruption, addressing critical practice and policy questions.

A heartfelt thanks to all employees and our partners for their dedication and commitment to CADTH, the health system, and ultimately the patients and members of the public who benefit from our work.

Less than four months after the onset of the pandemic in Canada, CADTH also had a change in leadership. Dr. Brian O’Rourke retired as President and Chief Executive Officer after more than a decade at the helm. The Board of Directors is grateful for the indelible legacy left by Brian, including increased stakeholder engagement, the incorporation of patient input into reviews, the establishment of the Patient and Community Advisory Committee, and the integration of the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review in CADTH, to name but a few.

In July 2020, we welcomed Suzanne McGurn as our new President and CEO. Suzanne has provided great leadership for CADTH during the most tumultuous period in our history, bringing to the position experience, knowledge, and a passion for the work we do. We are fortunate to have her steady hand on the tiller.

As we plan for the return to a more normal life in Canada, we look forward to the future with the confidence of an organization that met, and bested, the challenges of the past year.

Message from the President and CEO

I am pleased to share our 2020–2021 Annual Report — my first as CADTH President and CEO.

Leading an evidence-driven organization during a year when health care decision-makers were driven by “the evidence” has been incredibly daunting and humbling. It’s been a learning experience like no other, with unique challenges that come from joining an organization mid-pandemic and getting to know my exceptional staff through Zoom and MS Teams. It was not what I imagined when I accepted this position, but I’m so proud of my entire team, and, as highlighted in our annual report, everything we accomplished this year.

The pandemic’s impact on Canadian health care systems has been unprecedented, but it has also provided new perspectives on what is possible when it comes to health system transformation. It has underscored the changing nature of evidence — whether it be emerging, evolving, or well-established — and the critical role of science in health system decision-making. In response, our team has worked diligently to adapt quickly, develop new methodological approaches, and think differently to respond to the evolving needs of patients, policy-makers, and health care professionals.

During the past year, I’ve been reminded how much relationships matter. The relationships CADTH built over many years have been pivotal to our efforts. I am grateful to the patient groups, pharmaceutical and medical device industries, regulators, clinical societies, and pan-Canadian health organizations, as well as our Canadian and global health technology assessment colleagues, for their continued collaboration with CADTH under challenging circumstances. Our collective efforts have increased trust across the health care system and among organizations, and elevated discussions and expectations about what we can and should do in the future. Working together has highlighted Aristotle’s saying that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the excellent and unwavering support of the CADTH Executive Team, the CEO Office, and all staff throughout the organization. Everyone welcomed me to CADTH and helped me transition smoothly to my new role. I’d like to thank them for their expert advice and willingness to quickly adapt and respond to the emerging health priorities brought on by the pandemic.

Finally, I would like to thank David Agnew, Chair of CADTH’s Board of Directors, and all the Directors for their warm welcome to the organization. They have offered me valuable support and encouragement during this unprecedented year.