Health Canada's consultation on new additions to the Pathogens of Interest List

The purpose of this consultation was to request feedback from the public and stakeholders regarding the inclusion of additional antimicrobial resistant pathogens to the updated Pathogens of Interest List (the List). Pathogens on the List are deemed as pathogens creating the most urgent need for therapeutic drugs and/or diagnostic devices in Canada.

Who was the focus of this consultation

This consultation was intended for:

• Pharmaceutical and diagnostic developers
• Medical professionals and academics
• Patient advocacy groups

Comments were also welcomed from all other interested stakeholders and members of the general public.

Key questions for discussion

To foster the development of innovative human therapeutic products to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Health Canada has several regulatory measures that are available to expedite the review and approval process for drugs and diagnostic devices targeting pathogens on the List. Health Canada has updated the List to include fungal pathogens specific to the Canadian context.

Comments and suggestions were sought around the proposed update to the List, as well as on regulatory approaches to facilitate industry development for drugs and diagnostics targeting AMR pathogens:

• Should any of the proposed additional pathogens be removed from the update List and why?
• Should any other pathogens be added to the updated List and why?
• What new regulatory approaches or policy tools could be adopted that would facilitate greater access to safe, effective and high quality therapies to help address the AMR issue?

The input gathered through the consultation will be incorporated into the decision-making process of updating the List.

A summary of the feedback received during consultation is available on request.

Contact us

Bureau of Gastroenterology Infection and Viral Diseases
Therapeutic Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Address Locator: 0202B
Health Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Telephone: 613-941-2566
Fax: 613-941-1183
E-mail: bgivd_enquiries@hc-sc.gc.ca