Building better access to digital health technologies

From Health Canada

This project will result in:

• a targeted Health Canada review for digital health technologies
• greater capacity for digital health technologies, especially emerging innovations such as artificial intelligence and telerobotics
• engagement with counterpart regulatory agencies and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) organizations, to increase alignment in review approaches

The goals of this project are:

• faster times to market for innovative devices that meet health care system needs, resulting in
  • improved health outcomes for Canadians
• increased technical review capacity to make decisions about emerging innovative technologies, supporting
  • more rapid access to digital health technology devices
• improved alignment and collaboration with counterpart regulatory and HTA organizations to
  • get safe and innovative products to market faster

The tasks for this project include:

• creating a new Digital Health Review Division within the Medical Devices Bureau
• establishing a Scientific Advisory Committee for Digital Health Technology at Health Canada (2018)
• communicating and engaging with stakeholders (ongoing)
• re-evaluation of business processes (ongoing)

We expect that all parts of the project will be fully in place by fall 2020.