On November 14, 2024, the Government of Canada announced the establishment of a Committee of Experts as the next step in its implementation of a national pharmacare program. The Committee is tasked with providing the Government with practical advice on
Pharmacare Act becomes law in Canada
On October 10, 2024, Canada’s federal government passed legislation that will introduce pharmacare, a program of national universal drug coverage. The federal government must now take steps to implement the first phase of pharmacare, including reaching agreements with the provinces…
Supreme Court of Canada grants leave to appeal methods of medical treatment patentability decision
On September 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada granted an application for leave to appeal in a case concerning the scope of patentable subject-matter in Canadian law, focusing on an area known as “methods of medical treatment” (MMT…
Pharmacare: BC first to announce partnership with federal government
On September 12, 2024, the Governments of Canada and of the Province of British Columbia (BC) announced partnering to provide universal access to contraception, diabetes medication, and hormone replacement therapy. The Canada-BC Memorandum of Understanding is the first…
Federal Court addresses treatment and formulation patent claims in PMNOC case
The Federal Court (FC) has upheld the validity of a patent concerning treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and granted injunctive relief against the generic in an infringement action under section 6 of the Patented Medicines…
British Columbia signs first funding agreement under the national rare disease strategy
Drug pricing: PMPRB launches next phase of the Guidelines consultation
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has released a new Discussion Guide for consultation on new price review Guidelines. The Discussion Guide outlines a proposed new price review process and requests stakeholder feedback on several specific topics…
CADTH to Transform into Canada’s Drug Agency
Canada’s Drug and Health Technology Agency (CADTH) has announced that, as of May 1, 2024, its new operating name will be Canada’s Drug Agency / l’Agence des médicaments du Canada (CDA-AMC). The official launch will occur…
Pharmacare Update: Budget 2024
Drug pricing: PMPRB announces next steps in Guidelines consultation
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has announced new details regarding the progress of its consultation on new price review Guidelines.
Phase 2: Discussion Guide
The next phase of the PMPRB’s consultation will begin in summer 2024…