How are drugs approved?

Overview

The ministry has put clear steps in place to consider new drugs for funding under Ontario’s drug programs. Drug manufacturers must request and receive approval from:

1. Health Canada

   Health Canada scientists review new drugs to check that they are safe, are of good quality, and they do what they claim to do.

2. Common Drug Review (CDR) For brand name drugs and for non-cancer drugs

   With advice from an expert committee, the CDR recommends which drugs Ontario and other provinces and territories in Canada (except for Quebec) should fund under their public drug programs.

   OR

   The Pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR): For cancer drugs

   Reviewers consider the research and cost of new cancer drugs. They then recommend which ones Ontario and other provinces and territories in Canada (except for Quebec) should fund under their public drug programs.

3. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

   The ministry’s expert advisory committee reviews each manufacturer’s request to fund its drug. The committee then makes a recommendation to the Executive Officer of Ontario’s drug programs.The Executive Officer makes the final funding decision based on the committee’s recommendation, the government’s budget for drug programs, and what is in the public’s best interest.