During this year’s Artemis II mission, Canada achieved a landmark when astronaut Jeremy Hansen circled the moon—marking the first time a Canadian completed such a journey. Though the mission itself lasted just 10 days, the astronaut’s decade-long training and preparation preceded it. In stark contrast, Canada’s process for developing and approving new drugs typically spans 10 to 15 years.
After Health Canada gives the green light, Canadians have to wait an additional two to three years to get access to the new drug. This delay is due to the process of determining drug valuation and pricing, which involves the manufacturer setting an initial price, a cost-value analysis, and negotiations with an independent body on behalf of the provinces and territories.
Drug Development Process
Scientists typically spend four to six years exploring thousands of biological targets and conducting rigorous pre-clinical research to identify which compounds are safe and promising enough to test in people. This is followed by six to eight years of clinical testing, which includes three phases of trials designed to determine that a therapy is safe and effective in humans.
The failure rate is highest during this phase, and by this point, a company has spent over a decade on research and upwards of $3.6 billion CAD in investment—with no guarantee of success. Health Canada’s review takes on average 300 days, on par with other regulators around the world.
Access to New Medicines
Canada consistently ranks last in the G7 for timely access to new medicines, with only 18 per cent of globally available medicines reaching public plans, compared with the OECD average of 28 per cent. This means that some patients simply go without or end up with older, less effective treatments, while those who can afford it go abroad for treatment, a phenomenon known as “medical tourism.”
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Every month a treatment sits in a queue is a month a patient waits, and every year of red tape is a life that might have been better, longer, or saved. The current system is not only inefficient but also affects the health and well-being of Canadians.
Call to Action
Canadian researchers have made significant contributions to the field of medicine, including the discovery of stem cells in 1961 and the development of the lipid nanoparticle technology in the 1980s. However, despite having the scientific expertise, infrastructure, and talent to develop new medications, Canada needs to improve its access to innovative medicines.
On July 22, Canada’s premiers gathered in Charlottetown for their annual summer meeting, providing an opportunity to unite in calling on the federal government to cut red tape, modernize Canada’s innovation system, and speed up access to innovative medicines for all Canadians. This call would carry real international weight and help Canada deliver on its recent G7 commitment to accelerate the fight against cancer.
According to Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President and CEO of Innovative Medicines Canada, Canada has the potential to lead in the development and access to innovative medicines, but it requires sustained investment and political will. Dr. Hamelin emphasizes that the choice is in front of Canada: to lead or lag behind in providing access to new medicines for its citizens.
