Health Canada Consults on Antimicrobial Drug CAN-AWaRe Classification
Summary
Health Canada has opened a 60-day public consultation on the proposed Canadian Access, Watch, Reserve (CAN-AWaRe) classification framework for antimicrobial drugs for human use. The consultation runs until June 8, 2026, and seeks feedback from healthcare professionals, industry, academia, and public health agencies on the proposed classification of antibacterial drugs. Comments will inform the finalization of the CAN-AWaRe framework.
What changed
Health Canada is proposing a CAN-AWaRe classification framework for antimicrobial drugs for human use, based on the WHO AWaRe model. The framework categorizes antibacterial drugs into Access, Watch, and Reserve categories to support antimicrobial stewardship. The 60-day public consultation seeks input from healthcare professionals, industry, academia, and public health agencies on the proposed classification of each listed antibacterial.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers should review the proposed classifications and submit comments by June 8, 2026. This framework will influence antimicrobial stewardship policies, drug approval processes, and prescribing guidelines in Canada. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide evidence-based rationale for any alternative classifications recommended.
What to do next
- Review the proposed CAN-AWaRe classification for antimicrobial drugs
- Submit comments by June 8, 2026 via online questionnaire, email, or mail
- Provide rationale and supporting evidence for any disagreements with proposed classifications
Archived snapshot
Apr 9, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Consultation: Canadian Access, Watch, Reserve classification of antimicrobial drugs for human use
Current status: Open
Opened on April 9, 2026, and will close to new input on June 8, 2026.
Health Canada is seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposed Canadian Access, Watch, Reserve (CAN-AWaRe) classification of antimicrobial drugs for human use.
We will consider all comments received before finalizing the CAN-AWaRe classification.
Read the notice to learn more about the CAN-AWaRe classification.
Join in: How to participate
You can provide your feedback in the following ways:
Share your ideas online
Complete the online questionnaire to submit your comments.
Send us an email
Send an email to amr-ram@hc-sc.gc.ca with your ideas or comments to make yourself heard.
Participate by mail
Send a letter with your written comments to the address in the contact information below.
All comments must be received by June 8, 2026.
Who is the focus of this consultation
We will engage with stakeholders who focus on public health and infectious diseases, including:
- nurses
- industry
- academia
- physicians
- pharmacists
- nurse practitioners
- Indigenous partners
- other health care professionals
- public health agencies and departments
Key questions for discussion
We’re seeking your feedback on the proposed CAN-AWaRe classification.
When preparing your comments, please consider the following:
- For each antibacterial listed, do you agree with Health Canada’s proposed classification?
- If not, please indicate the alternative classification you recommend, based on the definitions provided for each respective category. Important: Provide your rationale and any supporting evidence.
We’re making the CAN-AWaRe classification available for the 60-day public consultation period. We will consider the comments gathered through the consultation when we finalize the classification.
Contact us
Pharmaceutical Drugs Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Address Locator: 0202B
Health Canada
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9
Email: amr-ram@hc-sc.gc.ca
Page details
From:
2026-04-09
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