Canada’s premiers have announced their intention to work together to bring the growth of health care costs to a more sustainable level. At the annual premiers’ Council of the Federation meeting in Winnipeg, held August 4-6, the premiers formed an alliance to purchase drugs, medical supplies and equipment, and are looking to negotiate with the federal government on the renewal of the 2004 health accord in 2014. No timeframe was given by the premiers for implementing the pan-Canadian purchasing alliance. Read more here.