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Statement from the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) Regarding Shortages of Prescription Medicines

Toronto, October 17, 2011 – The following is a statement by Jim Keon, President of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA), regarding shortages of prescription medicines in Canada:

“Millions of Canadians rely on generic prescription medicines daily for their pharmaceutical treatments and Canada’s generic pharmaceutical manufacturers take the responsibility of providing high-quality, lower-cost generic pharmaceutical products for Canadian patients extremely seriously.

Despite the best efforts of all parties in the pharmaceutical supply chain, shortages of prescription medicines can and do occur in Canada and other countries. These shortages have an impact on patients and their health-care providers, who wish to ensure and maintain the best quality of care. Each and every incidence of a generic prescription drug shortage is of serious concern to CGPA and its member companies.

CGPA and its members are working with our partners in the prescription drug supply chain, including pharmacies, prescribers, distributors, brand-name pharmaceutical companies and government, to develop solutions to help mitigate the impact of prescription drug shortages on Canadian patients.

Along with our work in cooperation with others in the prescription drug supply chain, Canada’s generic pharmaceutical companies are taking the following steps to help address prescription drug shortages:

• Investing nearly $100-million over the next three years in new systems, personnel, equipment and facilities.
• Heavily allocating additional resources – human (approximately 400 new full-time equivalent staff) and financial – to Quality Control and Quality Assurance operations to ensure continued compliance with Health Canada and other regulatory agencies.
• Prioritizing production to better adapt to shifting market demand.
• Working with Health Canada to prioritize product reviews and approvals based on shortages or potential shortages.
• Advising and communicating drug shortages with healthcare professionals and patients.
• Implementing industry best practices guidelines for the notification and management of drug shortages.”

About the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) represents Canada’s generic pharmaceutical industry. The industry plays an important role in controlling health-care costs in Canada. Generic drugs are dispensed to fill 59 per cent of all prescriptions but account for only 25 per cent of the $22-billion Canadians spend annually on prescription medicines.

For more information, please contact:

Jeff Connell
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA)
Tel: (416) 223-2333
Mobile: (647) 274-3379
Email: jeff@canadiangenerics.ca
Website: www.canadiangenerics.ca

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	Statement from the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) Regarding Shortages of Prescription Medicines
	Statement from the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) Regarding Shortages of Prescription Medicines