Innovative Medicines Canada files against federal plans

Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) and 16 of its member companies have announced the filing of a judicial review application in the Federal Court of Canada. The lawsuit is against the Canadian government’s recently published amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations.

The changes were made to the regulations in an effort to lower drug prices in the country.

The filing claims that the new regulations will impact drug development in Canada, as by reducing prices, new medicines will be delayed or prevented. The group also argues that investment in the pharmaceutical sector will decline.

“This is a necessary step given the significant impact these regulations will have on patient access to medicines and the future of Canada’s life sciences sector,” said IMC President Pamela Fralick in a statement. “For nearly two years, our industry has tried to work with Health Canada to find policy alternatives that would make medicines more affordable without jeopardising the industry’s rationale to invest in Canada and patient access to new medicines.”