Which Children's Medications Should Canada Prioritize for Approval?
Official title: Share your thoughts: Consultation on draft National Priority List of Pediatric Drugs
Why This Matters
Got a sick kid? Some child-friendly medications available in the US or Europe simply aren't sold here. Parents sometimes have to get prescriptions compounded or import drugs from abroad. This list could change which treatments your pediatrician can prescribe.
What Could Change
Health Canada will use this priority list to fast-track approval of specific pediatric drugs. Manufacturers may get streamlined pathways to bring child-friendly formulations to market. The list will be updated as new needs emerge.
Key Issues
- Which drugs should be prioritized for pediatric approval in Canada?
- Are there additional pediatric drugs that should be added to the priority list?
- How should drugs be prioritized for inclusion on the list?
How to Participate
- Review the background on the National Priority List of Pediatric Drugs to understand the initiative.
- Learn about the Pediatric Drug Action Plan for broader context.
What Happened
Health Canada received 47 individual responses and 4 stakeholder organization submissions during the 60-day consultation. Respondents included pharmacists, healthcare providers, industry representatives, and academics from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, BC, and Alberta. Feedback was generally positive, with respondents noting the draft list broadly reflected unmet needs. Of 159 new drugs nominated, most had already been considered. Respondents called for greater transparency in prioritization and suggested streamlining the regulatory approval process.