IMC welcomes provincial and territorial focus on health funding
Ottawa, October 19, 2026 – Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) welcomes the press release issued by provincial and territorial (PT) health […]
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
How Ontario slashed wait times for cancer treatments
By Dr. Bettina Hamelin One year ago, the Ontario government made a decision: Patients shouldn’t have to wait up to […]
Canada is losing the race for clinical trials – and patients are paying the price
By Dr. Bettina Hamelin Canada has long punched above its weight in clinical trial activity: the rigorous, multi-stage research studies […]
Access to Medicine
Canadians continue to wait two years for access to new medicines: New data report
New medicines aren’t always available through public drug plans when Canadian patients need them. After Health Canada approves a new medicine as safe and effective, Canadians still wait an average of two years for access. These delays have existed for many years, yet little progress was made in 2025, with the notable exception of the Ontario government’s Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) Program.
Increasing access to innovative medicines
IMC submission to the Government of Canada pre-budget consultations in advance of Budget 2026.
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 […]
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.
