Federal Budget Statement
November 4, 2025 (Ottawa)—Today’s federal budget outlined ambitious plans to reduce government spending while making generational investments to strengthen Canada’s […]
Access to Medicine
Timely access to new medicines saves lives, improves health outcomes, helps reduce healthcare costs, contributes to economic productivity, and makes Canada a more attractive destination for future investment and innovation.
The Problem
Two years is too long.
Canadian patients wait two years for access to approved new medicines through public drug plans. Patients in most peer countries get access to approved new medicines over one year sooner than Canadians.
The Impact
Canadians, our health systems & our economy pay the price.
Delays in patient access to medicines lead to:
- Fewer life sciences investments, clinical trials, and drug launches;
- Increased strain on health systems and health human resources; and
- A missed opportunity to increase quality of life and improve health outcomes for Canadians.
The Opportunity
Faster access for all.
There are two immediate actions provincial and territorial governments can take to get Canadians much faster access to new medicines.
- Eliminate the 5-month delay between CDA and pCPA.
- Commit to listing new medicines on public drug plans within 30 days of a completed pCPA negotiation.
Get Involved
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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.
Keep your finger on the pulse of Access to Medicine developments in Canada – explore our curated selection of the latest news and resources.
NEWS
IMC Applauds Ontario Government’s Launch of New FAST Program to Accelerate Patient Access to Innovative Medicines
Toronto, October 7, 2025 – Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) applauds the Government of Ontario for its pioneering announcement of the […]
Open Letter
The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier of Ontario and Minister of Health Legislative Building, […]
Access to Medicine
2025 COST DRIVERS REPORT
The private drug insurance market in Canada saw a 7.3% total cost growth in 2023-2024, primarily driven by increased utilization which accounted for 60% of total cost growth. The number of claimants rose by 3.5%, with claimants making
0.9% more claims.
Increasing Access to Innovative Medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget
Canadian Drug Access Pathway
The process for Canadians to access new medicines is extremely complex and involves several different federal, provincial, and territorial agencies. It takes two years following approval (736 days) for Canadian patients to get access to a drug in the public plan, whereas those in the private plan get access to a drug in less than one year (226 days).
Increasing Access to Innovative Medicines
Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget
The Canadian Research and Development Pharmaceutical Sector, 2021
This study examines the contribution of the Canadian research and development (R&D) pharmaceutical sector on the Canadian economy in 2021. […]
Newsroom
Breaking down and analyzing current events in the healthcare industry for our members, policy influencers and the Canadian public.
About
Our member companies, which range from early-stage startups to established organizations, are revolutionizing healthcare through the discovery and development of new […]
