First, the cost of drugs appears to be a key factor in creating shortages in Canada, plain and simple.
Second, the regulatory system in Canada, in this case the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, or PMPRB, ensures that Canadian consumers are protected from excessive prices. The regulation in this case is clear. It is not a blanket regulation; it specifically protects against excessive prices. This has a direct impact on the quantity of drugs approved and used in Canada.