Mr. Speaker, Health Canada does not operate prescribed alternatives programs or make decisions about what prescription drugs are prescribed to clients by these programs. The choice of medication is a decision between the practitioner and their patient, and licensed companies do not play a role in this decision.
With regard to questions (a) and (b), all prescription drugs containing controlled substances sold in Canada are supplied by pharmaceutical companies that hold licences issued by Health Canada. Health Canada cannot share the names of the companies that imported substances, for security and confidential business reasons. It is also not possible to determine the quantity of substances imported for the purposes of prescribed alternatives as this is not indicated on the permit application. When applying for a permit, licensed companies must indicate the purpose of the import. Examples of purpose of importation are medical use, research purposes, commercial sale in Canada, drug development purposes, repacking for export, etc.
As of June 7, 2024, there are 131 companies that hold a controlled substance licence in Canada for controlled substances that are for medications reported to be used in federally funded substance use and addictions program, SUAP, prescribed alternatives projects. The above information does not mean 131 companies have imported or supplied medications containing controlled substances that are being used in a project providing prescribed alternatives. Rather, it is the total number of companies that hold a controlled substance licence in Canada for controlled substances that are for medications reported to be used in federally funded SUAP prescribed alternatives projects.
With regard to question (c), Health Canada does not have contracts with individual pharmaceutical companies for the medications used in prescribed alternatives programs.