Non-Prescription Drug Scheduling
Timeline
Summary
When a drug is approved for sale in Canada, Health Canada decides whether or not the drug requires a prescription to be sold. The scheduling of non-prescription drugs (decisions on how they are to be sold in pharmacies) is the responsibility of the provinces and territories. Currently, the process by which P/Ts schedule non-prescription drugs varies across the country. This leads to uneven access to consumer health products and imposes a high regulatory burden on industry. The situation becomes even more complex when a prescription drug already on the market in Canada is switched from prescription to non-prescription status. The complexity and uncertainty involved in the switch process creates a disincentive for companies to pursue such switches, which can result in innovative nonprescription products not coming to market in Canada.
Description
Introduced via the 2018 RCT Work Plan. Moved into deferred status as of the 2020-2021 RCT Work Plan.
Jurisdiction Status
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Aware | |
| Alberta | Aware | |
| British Columbia | Aware | |
| Manitoba | Aware | |
| New Brunswick | Aware | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Aware | |
| Northwest Territories | Aware | |
| Nova Scotia | Aware | |
| Nunavut | Aware | |
| Ontario | Aware | |
| Prince Edward Island | Aware | |
| Quebec | Aware | |
| Saskatchewan | Aware | |
| Yukon | Aware |