Consultation: Canadian Access, Watch, Reserve classification of antimicrobial drugs for human use

Health Canada is seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposed Canadian Access, Watch, Reserve (CAN-AWaRe) classification of antimicrobial drugs for human use.

We will consider all comments received before finalizing the CAN-AWaRe classification.

Read the notice to learn more about the CAN-AWaRe classification.

Join in: How to participate

You can provide your feedback in the following ways:

Share your ideas online

Complete the online questionnaire to submit your comments.

Send us an email

Send an email to amr-ram@hc-sc.gc.ca with your ideas or comments to make yourself heard.

Participate by mail

Send a letter with your written comments to the address in the contact information below.

All comments must be received by June 8, 2026.

Who is the focus of this consultation

We will engage with stakeholders who focus on public health and infectious diseases, including:

• nurses
• industry
• academia
• physicians
• pharmacists
• nurse practitioners
• Indigenous partners
• other health care professionals
• public health agencies and departments

Key questions for discussion

We’re seeking your feedback on the proposed CAN-AWaRe classification.

When preparing your comments, please consider the following:

• For each antibacterial listed, do you agree with Health Canada’s proposed classification?
  • If not, please indicate the alternative classification you recommend, based on the definitions provided for each respective category.

Important: Provide your rationale and any supporting evidence.

We’re making the CAN-AWaRe classification available for the 60-day public consultation period. We will consider the comments gathered through the consultation when we finalize the classification.

Contact us

Pharmaceutical Drugs Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Address Locator: 0202B
Health Canada
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9
Email: amr-ram@hc-sc.gc.ca