Canada bans exports Varieties of medicines to America

SANAA, Nov. 29 (YPA) – The Canadian government announced on Saturday that it has banned the export of many medicines to the United States, especially those used to treat Covid-19, if these sales cause a shortage or exacerbate their shortage in Canada.
This decision comes before the start of the implementation of amendments imposed by US President Donald Trump to allow the import of drugs from abroad with the aim of reducing prices.

According to Agence France-Presse, the Canadian Ministry of Health said in a statement that its decision would allow, in particular, pharmacists and wholesalers to import some prescription drugs intended for the Canadian market, in large quantities.

“Our health care system is a symbol of our national identity and we intend to protect it,” Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu said when announcing the issuance of a decree in this direction on Friday.

Canada is a small market that accounts for 2 percent of drug sales in the world, of which the United States represents 44 percent, yet Canada imports 68 percent of its drugs from abroad, according to the Canadian Ministry of Health.

The ministry said that since 2017, 44 percent of medicines sold in Canada had experienced a “at least one time” shortage.

The Covid-19 epidemic has led to a high demand for some medicines, making it more difficult to maintain the supply of medicines in Canada in line with needs.

The executive order includes all medicines that can be imported in large quantities into the United States, as well as medicines used to treat the virus, biological materials and controlled substances.