Precision regulating: Amendments to the Food and Drugs Act

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulate therapeutic products (such as prescription and non-prescription drugs, medical devices, natural health products and veterinary drugs) and food to make sure they are safe.

Canada's regulations governing the sale of therapeutic products and foods work well in most situations. However, issues can arise that require tailored regulatory approaches to ensure that the products that people in Canada rely on are safe and available. The increased frequency of events such as product shortages highlights the need to be able to put in place precise regulatory responses, at times quickly.

To help with this, Precision Regulating amendments to the Food and Drugs Act came into force on June 20, 2024.