Paediatric Drugs & Therapeutics

Access to safe, effective and affordable medications is essential to achieve and maintain optimal child and youth health. However, Canada remains the only universal health care system in the developed world that does not include universal coverage of prescription medications, and the fragile patchwork of social programs and private insurance leaves many without crucial medical supplies. Moreover, Canada lags behind many industrialized countries in terms of mandating a drug and device regulatory system that safeguards paediatric patients and supports evidence-informed paediatric prescribing. Paediatricians are uniquely positioned to advise on, promote and ensure safe, effective and appropriate medication use, and they are key advocates in the fight to guarantee equal access to life-saving and life-sustaining therapies.

To advance equitable and evidence-based use of paediatric medications and therapeutics, the CPS will:

Advocate for a paediatric-sensitive federal drug and medical device regulatory framework that meets or exceeds international best practices.
Advocate for increased access to life-saving and life-sustaining medications, formulations, therapeutics, medical supplies and other essential health care services through a national pharmacare program.