Canada Drops Its Most Controversial Patented Drug Pricing Amendments

After almost two years of suspense for pharma industry stakeholders, the Government of Canada will proceed  with the implementation of some, but not all of the amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations. Partial implementation became the only realistic path forward for the regulations after key sections were found unconstitutional by Federal and Quebec courts. This marks a substantial retreat from the government's attempt to use the regulations to expand PMPRB jurisdiction.  

Health Canada will be moving forward with implementation of the new basket of comparator countries for pricing comparisons. There will also be reduced reporting requirements for those medicines at the lowest risk of excessive pricing.