COVID-19 Causes Further Delay To Canada’s Controversial Pricing Reforms

A delay to implementing drug pricing reforms is an opportunity for Canadian authorities to come up with better proposals, say industry representatives, while authorities remain adamant that action is necessary to lower prices.

Delays
Industry Welcomes Delays To Canadian Drug Pricing Reforms • Source: Alamy

Implementation of reforms in Canada that will lower drug prices but which pharmaceutical industry representatives claim will deter R&D investment and impact access to new medicines have been put on hold just two days before they were due to come into force. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the drug pricing reforms will now be implemented on 1 January 2022, instead of 1 July 2021, says Health Canada.

“In consideration of the impact of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing efforts related to the...

More from Canada

More from North America