April 14, 2021 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented demand in Canada and around the world for drugs critical to the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19. The government is committed to working with its partners to ensure that Canadians have access to the drugs and treatment they need.
The Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, today announced the creation of a reserve of drugs essential to the treatment of symptoms of COVID-19, which provides an additional safety net.
Canada will first purchase a sufficient quantity of 12 drugs for three months. The reserve is made up of the drugs that hospitals use most often to treat critically ill patients with COVID-19 and which may run out. In choosing these drugs, the Department considered Canada’s experience with COVID-19 to date as well as the advice of provinces, territories and critical care experts.
Health Canada created the reserve in collaboration with the provinces, territories and other partners. This reserve complements other shortage management measures taken by federal, provincial and territorial governments and serves as a safety net by increasing stocks of key drugs used in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in Canada.
The federal government remains a staunch partner with the provinces and territories, supporting their efforts to provide Canadians with the drugs they need.
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