Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance in Canada: A Lifecycle Approach for Pharma and Medical Device Companies
Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance in Canada Introduction For pharmaceutical and medical device companies entering or expanding in Canada, regulatory compliance is not limited to obtaining a marketing authorization or device licence. It is a continuing lifecycle activity that spans regulatory strategy, submission preparation, safety surveillance, labeling, post-authorization changes, and ongoing interaction with Health Canada. This is where regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance increasingly intersect. A regulatory strategy may determine how a product enters the Canadian market, while pharmacovigilance activities generate safety evidence that can influence labeling, risk management, regulatory submissions, and post-market decisions. The quality of information flowing between these functions can therefore have a direct impact on compliance and patient safety. Health Canada has also continued to refine its regulatory expectations. Its current guidance on drug submission...