Forward Regulatory Plan 2023-2025: Modernizing the Drug Establishment Licensing (DEL) Framework

Title of Regulatory Initiative

Modernizing the Drug Establishment Licensing (DEL) Framework

Enabling Act

Food and Drugs Act

Description

Health Canada is planning to advance Modernizing the Drug Establishment Licensing Framework in two phases.

Phase I - The proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations would:

Phase II - The proposed amendments would reduce burden associated with annual licence review and modernize provisions related to the use of compliance and enforcement tools, such as terms and conditions and suspensions. It would introduce less prescriptive and more flexible provisions that would maintain appropriate oversight of regulated activities conducted in Canada.

This regulatory initiative was identified by Health Canada in its Health and Biosciences Sector Regulatory Review Roadmap. This regulatory initiative is associated with Health Canada's Regulatory Stock Review Plan.

Note:  For regulatory consistency, Phase I amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations will proceed jointly with the Phase I amendments to the Medical Devices Regulations that are part of the Modernizing the Medical Device Establishment Licensing (MDEL) Framework initiative.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The proposed amendments related to the Food and Drug Regulations would enhance Canada’s regulatory alignment with the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Switzerland.

The proposed amendments for drug recalls would support Canada’s international responsibilities by improving clarity around the reporting obligations for industry, specifically clarifying the timelines for industry to comply with the regulations.

The proposed regulations regarding finished product testing would allow importers and distributors to rely on the results from release testing conducted by the foreign fabricator and would be more closely aligned with advanced therapeutic product frameworks in the United States and the European Union.

The collaborative work between Canada and its international partners through MRAs is a key driver for these proposed amendments and modernizing the table of designated regulatory authorities would support clear and accurate regulations for DEL holders.

Potential impacts on people in Canada, including businesses

The proposal would strengthen Health Canada’s oversight over drug recalls and contribute to the safety and quality of Canada’s drug supply. By clearly outlining the jurisdictions for which Canada has a MRA and providing conditional exemptions around finished product testing, industry may be better positioned to provide expanded access to certain drugs.

Consultations

Drug and medical device establishment licence holders were consulted between April and June 2019.

On December 11, 2021, Health Canada published a Notice of Intent in Canada Gazette, Part I, for a 60-day consultation period.

Health Canada pre-published the proposed amendments in the Canada Gazette Part I, on April 15, 2023, with a 75-day public comment period.

Health Canada plans to publish the amended regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in winter 2024.

The Modernizing Drug Establishment Licensing Phase II package is targeting pre-publication of proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I, in fall 2024.

Further information

Related information on the DEL framework can be found on Health Canada’s website.

Additional information can be requested from the departmental contact.

Departmental contact information

Danny Lepage
A/Director
Policy and Regulatory Strategies Directorate
Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch
Health Canada

Telephone: 873-353-3768
Email: prsd-questionsdspr@hc-sc.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

February 2021

Consult Health Canada's acts and regulations web page for:

Consult the following for links to the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and supporting policies and guidance, and for information on government-wide regulatory initiatives implemented by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada:

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit:

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