Canada’s Drug Agency to Leverage New Report on Appropriate Use

Last week, the Government of Canada released the final report from the Canadian Drug Agency Transition Office’s (CDATO) Appropriate Use Advisory Committee on the appropriate use of medications.

These recommendations and the strong foundation established by the CDATO will support Canada’s Drug Agency as we develop an approach and roadmap for the appropriate use of drugs.

Last month, we announced Dr. Jim Silvius and Stephen Samis as co-chairs of our newly established Appropriate Use Advisory Committee at Canada’s Drug Agency. The committee will advise about our appropriate use strategy and program, and the other members will be announced later this summer.

Why We’re Focused on Appropriate Use

Appropriate use of prescription drugs ensures that people in Canada are taking the right medications to meet their needs while providing the greatest possible benefit and avoiding potential harm. Appropriate prescribing helps increase patient safety, improve health outcomes, and mitigate unnecessary strains on our health systems.

Appropriate use is also one of our focus areas as part of our expanded mandate as Canada’s Drug Agency.

What’s Next

This year, we will engage with clinicians, patients and caregivers, appropriate use experts, and policy and implementation scientists to finalize a pan-Canadian strategy and develop a program to support the appropriate use of prescription medications.

We will announce the remaining members of the committee later this summer, and in September, we will present a featured panel session at Symposium 2024 focused on appropriate use.