Bill C-17 gives drug recall power to Health Canada, but more needs to be done

[tD33NAt]

The proposed Bill C-17 to revise Canada's Food and Drugs Act is long overdue. It contains several positive elements to give Health Canada the power to recall drugs, but should be revised to substantially enhance patient safety, argue legal and health care professionals in an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).Health Canada, Canada's regulator of food and drugs, cannot currently recall drugs, even those recalled in other countries because of adverse reactions. Rather, Health Canada must negotiate drug recalls with pharmaceutical manufacturers.

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