A caller to Sunday House Call recently enquired about the drug approval process and why there seems to be certain medications available in other countries but not in Canada?

According to a report entitled Access Delayed, Access Denied published by The Fraser Institute, Brett Skinner, Director, Health, Pharmaceutical and Insurance Policy Research states that “the approval process at Health Canada is inefficient compared to other countries.” How significant is this issue with respect to standards of care in Canada?

• Brett Skinner, Director, Health, Pharmaceutical and Insurance Policy Research, The Fraser Institute