How Drugs Come to Market in Canada

When the first NF drug, selumetinib (Koslego) became approved in the United States (April 2020) to treat inoperable plexiform neurofibromas in paediatrics, Canadians began to ask when they would access this new therapy.

Before a drug is authorized for sale in Canada, Health Canada must review the scientific evidence evaluating the product's safety and efficacy . There are many layers involved and the process can take years.

To learn more about how drugs become available in Canada, please watch Marta Haniszewski’s presentation. Ms.Haniszewsk is the Market Access Manager at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Canada. She took our members on a journey of the Canadian drug process at the 2022 NF Symposium. Her presentation slides are also available to download.