CGPA Releases Blueprint for a Sustainable Supply of Prescription Medicines for Canadians

TORONTO, June 17, 2020 /CNW/ - The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) today released its Blueprint for a Sustainable Supply of Prescription Medicines for Canadians that identifies measures to strengthen the domestic pharmaceutical industry and ensure Canadians have a secure and consistent supply of prescription medicines.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a wake-up call for governments, health-care professionals and the broader public on the importance of having a robust and resilient domestic pharmaceutical industry," said Jim Keon, President of CGPA. "CGPA and its member companies are committed to working with governments and other stakeholders to apply the lessons that we have learned from the pandemic to make the prescription drug supply chain even stronger and more secure for Canadians."

The CGPA Blueprint identifies measures to enhance Canada's existing pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and domestic capabilities, create a more resilient pharmaceutical supply chain with increased supply redundancy, ensure Canada's role within a well-functioning global supply chain, and encourage the establishment of a more coordinated approach to equipping Canada for future health emergencies.

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges and uncertainty for global supply chains in all industries, with border closures and export restrictions imposed by some countries, and significant reductions in global shipping capacity. The pharmaceutical industry was not immune from these challenges.

"The resilience of Canada's generic pharmaceutical industry has been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are proud to have maintained Canadians' access to the prescription drugs they need without major supply disruptions," added Keon. "Ensuring a sustainable supply of prescription medicines for Canadians must be a priority for federal and provincial governments as they consider the economic and health policies that will guide Canada into the future."

Generic prescription medicines are dispensed to fill 73 percent of all prescriptions in Canada but account for only 19 percent of the $32-billion Canadians spend annually on prescription medicines. Compared with many countries that must rely solely on importing their prescription medicines, Canada is fortunate to have extensive domestic generic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and capabilities. This is particularly important in times of health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) represents Canada's generic pharmaceutical industry. The industry plays an important role in controlling health-care costs in Canada. Generic drugs are dispensed to fill 73 percent of all prescriptions but account for account for less than 20 percent of the $32-billion Canadians spend annually on prescription medicines.

SOURCE Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association

Jeff Connell, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA), Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected], Website: www.canadiangenerics.ca