Published on 11/29/2020
1 min read
The Canadian government announced on Saturday a ban on the export of several drugs to the United States, including those used in the treatment of Covid-19, if these sales cause or exacerbate a shortage in Canada.
This ban comes as a reform promoted by Donald Trump enters into force Monday in the United States to allow the importation of drugs from abroad in order to lower prices.
This will notably allow pharmacists and wholesalers to import, in bulk, certain prescription drugs intended for the Canadian market, explains the Canadian Ministry of Health in a press release.
This measure “has enjoyed significant support at the US state level, and any adoption by industry would exacerbate the current problem of drug shortages in Canada“, specifies the press release.
“Our health care system is a symbol of our national identity and we are committed to protecting it“said Patty Hajdu, Canadian Minister of Health, announcing the adoption on Friday of a decree to this effect.
Canada is a small market which represents 2% of drug sales in the world, against 44% for the United States. However, Canada obtains 68% of its drugs abroad, according to the ministry.
Since 2017, almost half (44%) of drugs sold in Canada have been in short supply “at least one time“says Health Canada.
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased demand for some drugs, making it more difficult to maintain Canada’s drug supply as needed.
The executive order covers all drugs that can be imported in bulk into the United States, as well as those used in the treatment of the virus, biologics and controlled substances.
The ban applies to pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers and distributors licensed to sell in Canada.
These companies will also be required to provide information to the Canadian ministry to enable it to assess the risk of a shortage in Canada.
Medicines are more expensive in the United States than in Canada. Prices in Canada, however, remain higher than in most other industrialized countries.
President-elect Joe Biden has promised several measures to lower the price of drugs in the United States. It intends in particular to allow managers of the public health insurance program for those over 65 (Medicare) to negotiate prices with manufacturers or by authorizing patients to order drugs abroad.