Should Health Canada Change How Co-Packaged Drugs Are Regulated?

Official title: Consultation on draft guidance on co-packaged drug products

Closed Regulations & Permits Health & Safety
Health Canada asked for feedback on new rules for co-packaged drug products—medications that come bundled together in one package. The draft guidance clarifies when products need a drug identification number (DIN) and how they should be labelled and distributed. This consultation is now closed.

Why This Matters

Ever bought a medication kit with multiple items inside? Those are co-packaged products. These rules affect how drug companies bundle and sell medications in Canada. Clearer regulations could mean safer, better-labelled products on pharmacy shelves.

What Could Change

The final guidance will set clearer requirements for when co-packaged drugs need a DIN before being sold in Canada. It will also standardize packaging and labelling rules. Drug manufacturers will need to follow new submission requirements for any changes to their products.

Key Issues

  • When should a co-packaged drug product require a drug identification number (DIN)?
  • What are the appropriate packaging and labelling requirements for co-packaged products?
  • What submission requirements should apply for post-market changes?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Draft guidance on co-packaged drug products to understand the proposed regulatory requirements.
  2. Read the What we heard report to see how others responded to this consultation.

What Happened

Health Canada received feedback from manufacturers, health care professionals, and others involved in co-packaged drug products. A summary report has been published detailing what was heard during the consultation. The final guidance will be developed and implemented based on this public feedback.