Update: The Government of Canada announced agreements with five additional provinces and territories: Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. The funding agreements resource and common list of drugs have been updated to include these provinces and territories. Additionally, after announcing new agreements with Nova Scotia and Quebec, the Government of Canada has now finalized agreements with all provinces and territories.
We previously reported on Canada’s first-ever National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, which included up to $1.4 billion in funding for provinces and territories, to be negotiated through bilateral agreements. This funding aims to improve and enhance access to drugs, early diagnosis and screening for rare diseases.
Following the announcement of three new bilateral agreements in January 2025, the Government of Canada has now signed agreements with six provinces: British Columbia (July 2024), Alberta (December 2024), Newfoundland & Labrador (November 2024), Saskatchewan (January 2025), New Brunswick (January 2025) and Ontario (January 2025). Under each agreement (outlined in this resource), the Government of Canada has committed to provide funding relating to drugs that a province elects to make available from the common list of drugs.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Life Sciences Regulatory & Compliance Group.
The preceding is intended as a timely update on Canadian intellectual property and technology law. The content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. To obtain such advice, please communicate with our offices directly.