Canada: Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences

Choosing a "brand name" for prescription drugs in Canada is not just about creativity or marketing appeal – it is a careful balance between legal and regulatory requirements.

In a major legal win for Canadian agribusiness innovation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has successfully defended its intellectual property rights in the United States over the Staccato cherry, a late-ripening variety developed in Summerland, British Columbia.

As the trade war continues to impact the purchasing decisions of Canadian consumers, the market has seen a surge in "Canadiana"—from the iconic maple leaf mark to claims such as "Made in Canada", "Product of Canada"...

Important amendments to the Exception Patient Measure came into effect on June 2, 2025. A summary of the key changes is provided below.

On June 30, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) published new Guidelines for PMPRB Staff (the Guidelines) that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Le 30 juin, le Conseil d'examen du prix des médicaments brevetés (le « CEPMB ») a publié les Lignes directrices pour le personnel du CEPMB...

Description of Spotted Owl caurina subspecies critical habitat in the Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area

When a baby is born in Canada the child will undergo newborn screening. This routine battery of tests checks for rare but serious medical conditions—many of which, if detected early...

Understanding the eligibility criteria and legal considerations for qualifying for long-term disability benefits in Canada with anxiety or depression

On June 8, 2012, Genentech’s lawsuit seeking a declaration that US Patent No. 6,733,752 was invalid and not-infringed by Genentech’s trastuzumab product (HERCEPTIN).

Health Canada specifically contemplates certain proteins as SEBs in its Guidance, although Health Canada has not limited SEBs to only particular classes of drugs.

On May 23, 2012, the Federal Court held that Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. ("Merck") is liable to Apotex Inc. ("Apotex") for damages under section 8 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the "Regulations"), but exercised its discretion to reduce the amount of compensation payable based on a defence of ex turpi causa.