By rdnewsNOW staff

Addressing Demand

Health Canada expediting access to products that will limit spread of COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020 | 6:43 AM

Health Canada is taking interim measures to expedite access to supplies of products that will help limit the spread of COVID-19.

In light of the unprecedented demand and urgent need for hand sanitizers, disinfectants, personal protective equipment like masks and gowns—as well as swabs, the organization is facilitating access to these types of products that may not fully meet current regulatory requirements.

In Canada, disinfectants are classified as non-prescription drugs. Hand sanitizers are classified as natural health products (NHPs) or non-prescription drugs, depending on the ingredients. Class I personal protective equipment (such as masks and gowns) and swabs are regulated as medical devices in Canada.

While these products are typically subject to regulatory requirements, such as licensing and bilingual labelling, Health Canada will now allow certain products to be sold in Canada under this interim measure, including:

Products that are already authorized for sale in Canada but are not fully compliant with Health Canada requirements (e.g., English-only labelling, different packaging from what was authorized).

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Products that are not authorized for sale in Canada, but are authorized or registered in other jurisdictions with similar regulatory frameworks and quality assurances.

In addition, Health Canada is expediting approvals of product, as well as establishment and site licences related to these types of products.

Health Canada officials say the Department will continue to update Canadians on any further efforts to increase supplies of health products that may be used to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.