Update: On June 25, 2024, the Minister of Health released a notice of intent and plan regarding health product shortages.
On June 5, 2023, the Minister of Health released a statement on drug and other health product shortages, providing an update on actions being taken aimed at minimizing shortages and their impacts.
As one action, Health Canada is conducting a 60-day consultation on improving access to drugs and other health products, which Health Canada states “will be used to develop solutions for Health Canada and others who have a role to play in helping prevent shortages”. The consultation will close on August 4, 2023.
As a further action, Health Canada established a new external Health Products Supply Chain Advisory Committee to share their expertise and provide advice on approaches to shortage prevention and management.
In addition, the Minister of Health will conduct “a series of roundtables with key stakeholders from June to September to discuss strategies and identify solutions to prevent and mitigate drug shortages”.
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.Related Publications & Articles
-
Proposal for modernizing clinical trial framework aims to improve access to new and innovative therapies in Canada
On December 20, 2025, Health Canada launched a consultation on modernizing the framework for clinical trials involving drugs for human use, including pharmaceuticals, biologics, radiopharmaceuticals, ...Read More -
Health Canada consultation on two draft guidance documents on terms and conditions for human and veterinary drugs and drug submissions based on promising evidence of clinical efficacy
As previously reported, in December 2024, Health Canada published its agile licensing amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations.Read More -
2025 highlights in Canadian life sciences IP and regulatory law
In 2025, the Rx IP Update team at Smart & Biggar reported on a number of developments in Canadian life sciences IP and regulatory law.Read More
