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ARTICLE · 31 MARCH 2026

PMPRB Consults On Proposed Practice Directions For PMPRB Hearings

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The  Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) holds public hearings on two types of matters...

CanadaIntellectual Property
Chen Li
Chen Li
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The  Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) holds public hearings on two types of matters:

  • to determine whether the price of a medicine is excessive; and
  • to determine whether a rights holder has failed to file the required information set out in the Patent Act and the Patented Medicines Regulations.

On March 5, 2026, the PMPRB published seven proposed Practice Directions aiming to provide clarity on procedural matters related to these hearings. The proposed Practice Directions, summarized below, seek to align with modern approaches and technologies in addition to promoting consistency, efficiency and procedural fairness.

  1. Mode of Hearings: The PMPRB proposes to make "paper hearings" the default for evidentiary matters (e.g., written testimony, paper cross-examinations/transcripts) while generally reserving oral hearings for the argument portion.

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