Health Canada Drug Safety

Interim Order Expedites COVID-19 Drug Importation and Sale

Health Canada signed the Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sale and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19 on September 16, 2020. The Order establishes expedited authorization pathways allowing the Minister to consider urgent public health needs when evaluating drugs for COVID-19, including evidence from foreign regulatory approvals. It also enables more agile establishment licensing and permits the Public Health Agency of Canada to pre-position promising drugs before full authorization. The Order was made under subsection 30.1(1) of the Food and Drugs Act and requires an Order in Council to remain in effect beyond 14 days.

Explanatory Note: Interim Order Respecting Prevention and Alleviation of Drug Shortages in Relation to COVID-19

Health Canada has issued an Interim Order (effective October 16, 2020) granting the Minister of Health new powers to address drug shortages caused or exacerbated by COVID-19. The order authorizes the Minister to compel any person selling a drug to provide information about shortages or potential shortages, and to impose or amend terms and conditions on drug sale authorizations. The order ceases to have effect 14 days after being made unless approved by the Governor in Council.