Canada: Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences

Health Canada has issued a new Guidance Document pertaining to biosimilar drug submissions. The new Guidance significantly reduces the supporting clinical safety...

On May 12, 2026, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) released its May NEWSLetter. The NEWSletter provides updates on the implementation of the new Guidelines for PMPRB Staff, the consultation of the proposed Hearing Practice Directions, events in which the PMPRB participated, and new and upcoming NPDUIS research publications.

On April 30, 2026, Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) published updated Procedures for Reimbursement Reviews, following completion of a public consultation earlier this year. The updated procedures will be effective for August 2026 submissions and expert committee meetings in January 2027.

On March 26, 2026, Canada's new transfer pricing rules received royal assent and will have a significant impact on multi-national enterprises (MNEs) in life sciences industries.

The 2026 annual Bloom Burton & Co. Healthcare Investor Conference—Canada's premier international forum for healthcare companies and investors—was held in late April in Toronto.

Health Canada released a notice to industry on April 24, 2026, outlining that manufacturers must use the Regulatory Enrolment Process (REP) and Common Electronic Submission Gateway (CESG) for medical device transactions as of April 1, 2026. As we previously reported, manufacturers of medical devices could voluntarily use the REP and CESG for medical device regulatory transactions as of July 2024.

A landmark Ontario court decision found a plastic surgeon liable for installing surveillance cameras throughout his clinic, including in areas where patients disrobed and received treatment.

In J.C. et al. v. Jugenburg et al., 2026 ONSC 3061, the court found that a plastic surgeon breached his duties to patients and intruded on their privacy by installing surveillance cameras throughout his clinic.

Manitoba's Bill 11 introduces significant restrictions on when employers can request sick notes from employees, limiting such requests to absences exceeding seven consecutive days or more than ten workdays annually. The legislation, effective October 1, 2026, also requires employers to reimburse employees for the cost of obtaining medical documentation and expands the range of healthcare practitioners who can provide sick notes.