Ottawa, October 19, 2026 – Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) welcomes the press release issued by provincial and territorial (PT) health ministers, calling for long-term, sustainable federal health funding for Canadians, following their meeting in Winnipeg last week.
The meeting brought notable progress, including the federal government’s announcement of bridge funding for mental health, addictions, and home care. The PT ministers’ call for federal health funding underscores the importance of predictable investment in the health of Canadians and the systems that serve them. IMC also welcomes their recognition of the need to strengthen PT coordination on pharmaceutical management, as the evolving international trade environment, including U.S. most-favoured nation (MFN) drug pricing, raises questions about the cost, supply, and availability of medicines in Canada.
These discussions demonstrate why ongoing FPT coordination matters, particularly for health funding and access to care. As the federal Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force’s report is developed into an action plan, that collaboration must continue and reach beyond health departments. Implementing the task force’s 39 recommendations will require significant, additional funding and a shared commitment from every level of government.
Canadians in every province and territory deserve timely and equitable access to new medicines. IMC remains a committed partner to governments in delivering on that priority.
Quick Facts
- Canada ranks last in the G7 and 19th out of 20 OECD countries for public access to new medicines.
- It takes 35 months for new medicines to become available to Canadians, compared with five months in Germany, 16 months in France, 18 months in Sweden, and 19 months in the UK.
- Since May 2025, 22 medicines were not launched in Canada due to global uncertainty and domestic access barriers.
- Negotiation failures at the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance have more than doubled over the same period.
About Innovative Medicines Canada
Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) is the voice of Canada’s innovative pharmaceutical industry, representing over 40 member companies. It advocates for policies that enable the discovery, development, and delivery of innovative medicines and vaccines to improve the lives of all Canadians. IMC’s members contribute $25 billion to the economy, support nearly 150,000 high-value jobs, and invest $3.5 billion in research and development. Guided by the Code of Ethical Practices, all IMC members work with governments, private payers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.
For further information: media@imc-mnc.ca
