Are Therapeutically Important Drugs No Longer Available in Canada?

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry and its allies often claim that various aspects of Canadian pharmaceutical policy result in new drugs not being introduced into the Canadian market. These arguments ignore international evidence that shows that only a minority of new drugs offer major therapeutic gains. A corollary to the industry's message is the threat that new drugs will not be made available if governments or regulatory agencies introduce measures that threaten the profits of pharmaceutical companies. The government should not be intimidated by these threats and should continue to take actions that increase accessibility to necessary medications for all residents of Canada.