CADTH Pharmaceutical Reviews Update — Issue 33

See Pharmaceutical Reviews Update ― Issue 33 for important news and information regarding the Canada's Drug Agency drug review programs. Highlights from this issue include: 

• procedures for streamlined drug class reviews 
• procedures for integrated technology reviews 
• schedule for pre-submission and reconsideration meetings. 

Canada's Drug Agency Program Updates 

1. Revision to Expert Committee Schedule 
   As communicated in the weekly summary on December 15, 2022, sponsors are reminded that Canada's Drug Agency has posted an updated expert committee meeting schedule to reflect minor revisions to the date ranges for submission windows. There are no changes to the expert committee meeting dates. These changes are effective for drugs targeting the June 2023 meetings. If you have questions regarding the revised schedule, please contact [email protected]. 
    
2. Pre-Submission and Reconsideration Meeting Schedule 
   To help facilitate booking pre-submission and reconsideration meetings, Canada's Drug Agency has posted a schedule of meeting availability dates and times for the 2023 calendar year. We anticipate updating this schedule once every 6 months. 
    
3. Procedures for Streamlined Drug Class Reviews 
   Canada's Drug Agency initiated stakeholder consultations in March 2022 on a proposal for a new streamlined approach to optimal use recommendations that would offer an expedited alternative to the current therapeutic review framework. Canada's Drug Agency has carefully considered the feedback received during the consultation and is pleased to announce the new Procedures for Canada's Drug Agency Streamlined Drug Class Reviews. Canada's Drug Agency would like to thank all stakeholders who took the time to respond to this consultation. If you have any questions regarding the new Procedures for Streamlined Drug Class Reviews, please feel free to contact Canada's Drug Agency at [email protected]. 
    
4. Procedures for Integrated Technology Reviews
   Canada's Drug Agency has recently renamed the Optimal Use 360 process as the Integrated Technology Review process. Details regarding this review process are reported in the Procedures for Canada's Drug Agency Integrated Technology Reviews. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact [email protected] with complete details of your inquiry and Canada's Drug Agency will provide a response in a timely manner. 

Canada's Drug Agency Events 

1. Canada's Drug Agency Information Session 
   The annual Canada's Drug Agency Information Session was held on December 8, 2022. The event provided attendees with information about the Canada's Drug Agency priority initiatives and process changes, including a report on progress since the launch of the Canada's Drug Agency Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2025. If you are interested in more information, the presentations are available on CADTH’s YouTube page.