Federal task force report marks important step for Canada’s life sciences sector
Ottawa, July 24, 2026 – Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) acknowledges today’s publication of the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task […]
Access to medicine
Timely access to new medicines saves lives, improves health outcomes, reduces pressure on the healthcare system, boosts economic productivity, and helps make Canada a more attractive destination for future investment and innovation.
The problem
Two years is too long.
Canadian patients wait an average of two years for access to approved new medicines through public drug plans. In most peer countries, patients gain access to approved new medicines more than a year sooner.
The impact
Canadians, our health systems and our economy pay the price.
Delays in patient access to medicines lead to:
- Reduced life sciences investment, fewer clinical trials, and fewer drug launches
- Increased strain on health systems and health human resources
- Missed opportunities to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
The opportunity
Faster access for all.
Provincial and territorial governments can take two immediate steps to significantly reduce delays:
- Eliminate the five-month delay between CDA and pCPA.
- Commit to listing new medicines on public drug plans within 30 days of a completed pCPA negotiation.
Why Access Matters
Cervical cancer affects approximately 1,400 women in Canada annually
Why Access Matters
Approximately 9,000 Canadians are diagnosed with melanoma annually
Why Access Matters
Approximately 460,000 Canadians live with RA
Why Access Matters
Hepatitis C affects approximately 11,000 Canadians each year
HPV
Melanoma
Arthritis
Hepatitis
Stay informed
Latest news and resources.
Explore the latest developments related to access to medicine in Canada.
NEWS
IMC welcomes premiers’ call for sustainable healthcare funding
Ottawa, July 23, 2026 – Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) welcomes today’s call from Canada’s Premiers, issued at the Council of […]
Opinion: It’s faster to fly a human around the moon than to get a new drug to Canadians
By Dr. Bettina Hamelin Article originally published on Healthing.ca, July 21, 2026. This spring, Canada made history when astronaut Jeremy Hansen […]
Access to Medicine
The value of the innovative pharmaceutical industry – A report summary
This summary of a study by Deloitte combines a traditional economic impact analysis with targeted assessments of health system impacts […]
Increasing access to innovative medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026-2027 New Brunswick Budget
Increasing access to innovative medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026 Newfoundland and Labrador Budget
Pre-budget submission 2026
Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) is pleased to contribute to the Quebec government’s consultations on its 2026-27 budget. Availability of and […]
Increasing access to innovative medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026 Ontario Budget January 2026
Increasing access to innovative medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026 Alberta Budget
Increasing access to innovative medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026 Nova Scotia Budget
Increasing access to innovative medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget
Newsroom
Breaking down key developments in the life sciences sector for members, policy influencers, and Canadians.
About
Learn how our member companies, which range from early-stage startups to established organizations, are advancing healthcare through the discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines.
