Health Canada has announced the creation of the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force aimed at improving Canada’s access to innovative medicines and bolstering the country’s competitiveness in the global life sciences industry.
The initiative was announced by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, who said the task force will help develop long‑term, sustainable solutions to ensure Canadians can obtain the treatments they need.
The task force is designed to bring together senior leaders from across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, regulatory, and research sectors. The group will support domestic growth, improve regulatory efficiency, and enhance Canada’s position as a reliable partner in global drug development and manufacturing.
Minister Michel emphasized that the taskforce will focus on “made‑in‑Canada” strategies to strengthen the life sciences ecosystem.
“Better access to medicines means healthier Canadians and a stronger economy,” said Minister Michel. “This task force will bring together expertise from across the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector to identify practical, high-value solutions to improve access to medications and drive innovation and growth in Canada.”
Task force composition
Leadership of the task force will be shared by Martin Leblanc, co‑founder and vice‑chair of CellCarta Biosciences, and Michelle Boudreau, a former senior executive at Health Canada with extensive experience in pharmaceutical policy and regulation. Additional members will comprise representatives from national industry associations, research organizations, and companies involved in drug development and manufacturing.
The task force will also contribute to Health Canada’s ongoing regulatory modernization efforts, including its “Red Tape Review,” which aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve the efficiency of drug approval and oversight processes.
According to Health Canada, the task force’s recommendations will help shape future policies intended to support innovation, economic growth, and improved health outcomes for Canadians.
Industry reaction
The announcement comes at a time when global pharmaceutical markets are shifting, and Canada faces pressure to remain competitive in attracting investment and ensuring timely access to new therapies.
Industry groups, including Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC), have expressed support for the initiative and urged the government to act quickly to address regulatory and market challenges.
In welcoming the creation of the task force, IMC noted that it reflected a “recognition of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and the need for unified, pan-Canadian action.”
“The moment is urgent,” said IMC president and CEO Dr Bettina Hamelin. “Global shifts – particularly the new US most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing policy – are already influencing investment and launch decisions for new medicines in Canada. The task force will need to move quickly, with focus and ambition.”