10 April 2018 - Innovative drugs help people enjoy longer, healthier, more productive lives. They also allow our health-care systems to save money. The numbers are striking: If, after 1995, industrialized countries had had access to no new drugs to treat cardiovascular disease, related hospital stays would have cost 70 per cent more 10 years later.

However, the reimbursement of these drugs by Canada’s public plans can face considerable delays because of a very burdensome regulatory process. Far from resolving this problem, a new reform may lengthen this process.

Health Canada examines all new drugs in order to ensure their safety, effectiveness and quality. When the tests are conclusive, they are approved for sale. These drugs are not automatically reimbursed by provincial drug insurance plans, however.

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