Update on New Drug and Medical Device Authorizations Français
Accelerating new treatment options for Canadians
OTTAWA, April 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians want access to the latest treatments for themselves, and their friends and family, especially for diseases and conditions where limited options are available.
One area that has seen a great deal of change in treatment options is cancer. Based on Canadian Cancer Statistics, 45% of Canadian women and 49% of Canadian men will develop cancer during their lifetime. While treatments are available for many types of cancers, there are some cases where treatment options are limited, such as with rare types of leukemia.
In recent months, Health Canada has authorized several new drugs for patients with rare and debilitating cancers, including a new type of therapy called CAR-T cell immunotherapy, which helps provide a customized option for the treatment of an aggressive type of lymphoma. The Department prioritized many of these drug reviews to ensure faster access to treatment options for the people who need them.
Medical devices are equally critical for many Canadians to achieve and maintain their health. Health Canada has also licensed new medical devices that test blood, supplement oxygen, stimulate nerves and treat cardiac patients and patients with corneal ulcers.
These new drugs and devices have the potential to vastly improve the quality of lives of many Canadians, including children and seniors.
As of March 2019, information from drug submissions will be made available to Canadians through Health Canada's new Clinical Information Portal, following the Department's review of each drug submission. Health Canada will also make information about drugs and medical devices already on the market available upon request, and add this information to the portal. Beginning in 2021, the Department will start releasing information on new medical device submissions.
Canadians can follow @GovCanHealth on Twitter to find out when Health Canada has authorized new health products. For people who are not yet following us, our recent authorizations are listed below.
Drugs and medical devices authorized since January 2019
Drugs for Cancer and Rare Diseases
Date |
Drug |
Purpose |
Jan 2019 |
For adult patients with certain types of the rare disease Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) |
|
Jan 2019 |
For certain adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) |
|
Feb 2019 |
For adult patients with the rare disease relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with an IDH2 mutation |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients with certain types of lung cancer |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients undergoing certain types of radiation for cancer treatment |
|
Feb 2019 |
For adult patients with certain types of lung cancer; this review was aligned with the review of government partners to expedite funding decision |
|
Feb 2019 |
A CAR-T cell immunotherapy for patients with one type of lymphoma |
|
Apr 2019 |
|
For patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of leukemia |
Apr 2019 |
For the treatment of certain types of breast cancer |
Drugs for Eye or Skin Disorders
Date |
Drug |
Purpose |
Jan 2019 |
To reduce pressure inside the eyes of adult patients, including those with certain types of glaucoma |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients with moderate to severe corneal ulcers (neurotrophic keratitis) |
|
Apr 2019 |
For adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis |
Drugs for Chronic Disease
Date |
Drug |
Purpose |
Jan 2019 |
For certain patients with Parkinson's Disease |
Drugs for General Use
Date |
Drug |
Purpose |
Feb 2019 |
To help stop bleeding for patients undergoing surgery or following trauma |
General and Plastic Surgery Devices
Date |
Device |
Purpose |
Jan 2019 |
To restore blood flow in patients who have suffered a stroke, within eight hours of symptom onset |
|
Jan 2019 |
For adult patients with certain types of intracranial aneurysms that cannot be treated with conventional surgery |
|
Jan 2019 |
To reinforce soft tissues for patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients requiring cardiac, vascular, ophthalmic and skin tissue sutures |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients requiring cardiac, vascular, ophthalmic and skin tissue suture |
|
Feb 2019 |
To help stop bleeding during surgery |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients who need a variety of wound dressings |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients with brain aneurysms |
|
Feb 2019 |
For patients requiring brain or nerve stimulation |
|
Mar 2019 |
For dental patients who require bone grafts |
Cardiovascular Health Devices
Date |
Device |
Purpose |
Feb 2019 |
For patients who have a blocked artery in their heart |
|
Feb 2019 |
To temporarily block vessels or to help expand stent grafts for cardiac patients
|
|
Feb 2019 |
Promus ELITE Everolimus-Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent System |
For patients who have a blocked artery in their heart |
Feb 2019 |
For patients who require a pacemaker |
|
Mar 2019 |
To evaluate cardiac structures and arrhythmias in heart patients |
|
Mar 2019 |
For patients with knee cartilage defects |
In Vitro Diagnostic Devices
Date |
Device |
Purpose |
Jan 2019 |
To screen blood donors for HIV and to aid in the diagnosis of HIV infection |
Additional Health Canada Resources for Information about Drugs and Medical Devices:
2017 Highlights Report on New Drugs and Medical Devices
Report a Health and Safety Concern
Health Canada's Action Plan on Medical Devices
New Safety and Effectiveness Reviews
The Drug and Health Product Register
MedEffect Canada
Summary safety reviews
Drug product database
SOURCE Health Canada
For further information: Media Inquiries: Health Canada, (613) 957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: (613) 957-2991, 1-866 225-0709
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