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The Canadian government announced Saturday that it has banned the export of many drugs to the United States, especially those used to treat Covid-19, if these sales cause a shortage or exacerbate shortages in Canada.
This decision comes before Monday, the implementation of amendments imposed by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, to allow the importation of medicines from abroad in order to reduce prices.
And Canada’s Health Ministry said in a statement that its decision would allow, in particular, pharmacists and wholesalers to import some prescription drugs destined for the Canadian market, in large quantities.
“Our healthcare system is a symbol of our national identity and we intend to protect it,” said Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu, announcing the issuance of a decree in this direction on Friday.
Canada is a small market that accounts for 2 percent of global drug sales, of which the United States accounts for 44 percent. And yet Canada imports 68 percent of its drugs from abroad, according to the Canadian Ministry of Health.
The Covid-19 epidemic has led to high demand for some drugs, making it difficult to keep Canada’s drug supply in line with need.
The Canadian executive order includes all drugs that can be exported in large quantities to the United States, as well as drugs used to treat the virus, biological materials, and controlled substances.
It applies to pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers and distributors that are licensed to sell in Canada.
These companies will also need to provide information to the Canadian Ministry so that it can assess the risk of shortages in Canada.
And drug prices are higher in the United States than in Canada. But prices in Canada are still higher than in most other industrialized countries.
US President-elect Joe Biden promised several measures to lower drug prices in the United States.
Source: French press agency
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