Canadian government moves to strengthen drug safety

Canadian Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq this week announced that Canada's Food and Drug Regulations will become even stronger, against a background of concerns relating to active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Currently in Canada, internationally accepted high quality standards, ie, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), are required for the production of pharmaceutical drugs. To make sure that the health and safety of Canadian consumers and their families are even more protected, the active ingredients (AI) in these drugs will be subject to these same standards.

"These stronger regulations will improve the safety of drugs used by Canadians and their families," said Ms Leona Aglukkaq, adding:"They will help make sure that all AI in drugs sold in Canada, no matter where they come from, are manufactured according to high standards."