On January 5, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Florida’s proposal to import prescription drugs from Canada. This is the first approval of a Section 804 Importation Program (SIP) by the FDA. Whether
Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
New Canadian Drug Agency formed, while National Pharmacare bill is delayed into 2024
The Government of Canada has announced the creation of the Canadian Drug Agency (CDA). According to the government, the CDA “will provide the dedicated leadership and coordination needed to make Canada’s drug system more sustainable and better prepared…
Federal Court refuses to issue injunction on infringed antibody formulation patent
On December 4, 2023, the Federal Court held that a patent claiming a formulation of adalimumab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat autoimmune diseases, is valid and is being infringed by a biosimilar product. However, the Court refused to issue…
Drug pricing: PMPRB releases scoping paper to consult on new Guidelines
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has released a scoping paper on themes and questions to develop new price review Guidelines. The scoping paper also includes information on how stakeholders can participate in the consultation.
The deadline…
Ontario proposes removing barrier to listing “well-established drugs” on its public formulary
On October 19, 2023, the Ontario government proposed regulatory amendments that may eliminate the need to submit certain clinical studies and evidence when requesting that a “well-established drug” be (i) listed or (ii) designated as interchangeable on Ontario’s publicly-funded formulary. …
Drug pricing: PMPRB announces framework for new guidelines consultation
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has announced a framework for the launch of its consultation on new guidelines, beginning with a scoping paper to be published in advance of Policy Roundtable sessions to be held December…
Drug reimbursement: CADTH publishes procedures on time-limited reimbursement
Canada’s Drug and Health Technology Agency (CADTH) has published its procedures for a new time-limited reimbursement recommendation category. This recommendation category is intended to help provide earlier access to new therapies for severe, rare, or debilitating conditions where…
Federal Court: Transferring drug submission does not require re-serving Notice of Allegation
The Federal Court has upheld a decision of the Minister of Health (Minister) that the new owner of a biosimilar new drug submission (NDS) could adopt the notice of allegation (NOA) served by its…
Drug pricing: PMPRB finalizes Interim Guidance amendments
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has amended its Interim Guidance to address prices of “New Medicines”, implementing a review threshold based on “below the median” of the PMPRB11 countries (Median International Price, MIP). “New Medicines”…
Drug advertising: Updated guidance from Health Canada on the distinction between advertising and other activities for health products
On July 31, 2023, Health Canada published its updated Guidance on distinction between advertising and other activities for health products (the Distinction Guidance). The Distinction Guidance outlines the factors that contribute to rendering a message or activity promotional in…