Canadian Industrial Profile: Pharmaceutical Products—Winter 2018

Demographics—Canada’s rapidly aging population will continue to drive strong demand for pharmaceutical products.

Bill C-30 Patent Terms—Canadian original-product manufacturers were granted an extension on patent terms when Bill C-30 (tied to the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement, or CETA) came into force in September 2017. This will slow the introduction of generics into the market, benefiting holders of patented drugs.

NAFTA—More than 70 per cent of the industry’s exports are destined for the United States. Should the renegotiation of NAFTA result in curtailed access to that key market, the industry’s prospects would be significantly dampened.