Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association

New generic drugs are subjected to rigorous standards and testing at every stage of development.    How rigorous?    In Canada, every new generic drug goes through a multi-step process that includes securing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), rigorously testing them for quality control, manufacturing them according to industry-standard Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), conducting bioequivalency studies to compare the generic to the originator drug, and submitting the results of the study to Health Canada for approval.    This commitment to excellence guarantees that Canadians have access to healthcare solutions that are not only more affordable, but also safe, effective and reliable.    Click the link below to learn more about the robust, multi-step process that each new generic drug must go through in order to ensure its safety and efficacy.   https://lnkd.in/eXEYP4c7

Best wishes for a happy holiday and a joyful New Year. 

Before a new generic drug can reach the market in Canada, it has to go through a meticulous, multi-step process that ensures safety, efficacy, and affordability. First, a manufacturer has to source and rigorously test the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for quality and consistency, then reverse-engineer the originator product to develop equivalent formulations. Next, the drug is manufactured to rigorously high standards using dedicated production lines and robust quality control systems, while bioequivalence studies compare the generic drug’s performance to the original, with data submitted to Health Canada for approval. Then, the manufacturer navigates patent regulations and obtains provincial drug plan listings to ensure the new, affordable drug is accessible across the country. Finally, after the drug has been approved by regulators, patients gain access to affordable, high-quality generic medicines, and are further supported by educational resources and patient support programs that help them use the new medication to optimal effect. Click here to learn more about the robust, seven-step process that each new generic drug must go through in order to ensure its safety and efficacy. https://lnkd.in/gUgJgjyk

Did you know that in order to receive a license to manufacture and sell drugs in Canada, both brand-name and generic drug companies must follow the same stringent standards? All manufacturers must adhere to a set of industry standards called Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ensuring both quality and consistency among all drugs available in the country. That means that generic medicines not only contain the same active ingredients—and in the same amounts—as their brand-name counterparts, but also meet the same high standards for production. From tablets and injectables to prescription creams, CGPA member companies produce hundreds of high-quality medicines following these industry-wide best practices, producing cost-saving medicine Canadians can rely on.

Did you know that if Canada increased its use of generic pharmaceuticals by just 1%, Canadians could save more than $1 billion? That’s such a large number that it almost sounds unbelievable, but it’s actually true. If both the public and private sectors in Quebec increased their use of generics by 1%, the province would save more than $284 million. If the same thing happened in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, they’d save more than $409 million. And if every province followed suit, the total savings would amount to more than $1 billion total. Every small shift toward generic medicine adds up—and it doesn’t take much to create massive savings for Canadians.

Canada's robust domestic generic pharmaceutical industry doesn't just keep Canadians healthy—it keeps our country secure, and our economy stable.  A lot of our peer countries have to rely on imports for essential medicines, leaving them vulnerable to international events and supply chain disruptions.  But here in Canada we have extensive manufacturing, testing and packaging capacities, along with research and development facilities that continue to innovate and push the industry forward, right here at home. From producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to developing new medications, Canada’s generic pharmaceutical sector ensures a steady, local supply of affordable medicine, and creates jobs that strengthen our communities. So generic medicine doesn't just make Canada healthier, it makes it more self-reliant.Canada's robust domestic generic pharmaceutical industry doesn't just keep Canadians healthy—it keeps our country secure, and our economy stable.  A lot of our peer countries have to rely on imports for essential medicines, leaving them vulnerable to international events and supply chain disruptions.  But here in Canada we have extensive manufacturing, testing and packaging capacities, along with research and development facilities that continue to innovate and push the industry forward, right here at home. From producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to developing new medications, Canada’s generic pharmaceutical sector ensures a steady, local supply of affordable medicine, and creates jobs that strengthen our communities. So generic medicine doesn't just make Canada healthier, it makes it more self-reliant.

When multiple companies manufacture a prescription medicine, Canadians benefit from the built-in redundancy, because if one supplier faces an issue, another can often fill the gap.    But tendering models that award exclusive contracts to single suppliers, put this redundancy at risk.   Awarding a single contract might lower prices temporarily, but it also reduces our capacity to respond to demand surges or supply disruptions, increasing the likelihood of drug shortages.    The security of a robust, diverse supply chain is essential for accessible and uninterrupted healthcare in Canada.

When it comes to filling prescriptions, generic pharmaceuticals punch way above their weight. In Canada, $45 billion is spent annually on prescription medicines. But even though generics are used to fill more than 77% of all prescriptions, they account for less than 23% of the overall budget. As a result, using generic medicine has saved our healthcare system tens of billions of dollars over the past five years—and helped make healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions of Canadians.

The CGPA and Biosimilars Canada welcome Ontario's $146 million investment in the next phase of the Life Sciences Strategy, to strengthen the province's position as a leader in the global life sciences sector.    As the national association representing Canada’s generic pharmaceutical industry and a proud member of Ontario’s Life Sciences Council, the generic and biosimilar medicines industries play a key role in Ontario’s health-care system and economy.    "We are committed to working with the government to bring even more jobs and economic growth to Ontario, and appreciate the government’s clear commitment to the Life Sciences Sector," says Jim Keon, CGPA President. Read the full news release here: https://lnkd.in/erPQ85WE

Did you know that the Canadian generic pharmaceutical industry is a key strategic asset for the country?    It's true.    When it comes to generic pharmaceuticals, only a few countries in the world have a domestic manufacturing capacity that's as extensive and capable as ours.     And our domestic manufacturing strength allows us to better secure our supply chain, create jobs and secure Canadians' health by responding to increased demand for medications here at home.    All of which gives Canada a significant advantage on the international stage, and reflects the vital role generic pharmaceuticals play in Canada’s economy, security and healthcare.