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Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Industries Welcome Ontario Government’s Investment in Next Phase of Life Sciences Strategy

Toronto, October 18, 2024 – The following is a statement from Jim Keon, President of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) and its Biosimilars Canada division, on the Ontario government’s $146-million investment in the next phase of the Life Sciences Strategy:

“The CGPA and its Biosimilars Canada division welcome the Ontario government’s announcement of a $146 million investment in the next phase of its Life Sciences Strategy to help position the province as a global leader in life sciences.

Our industry appreciates the Ontario government’s clear commitment to the Life Sciences Sector. CGPA and its member companies look forward to continuing our work with the government to bring even more jobs and investments to the province.

As the national association representing Canada’s generic pharmaceutical industry and a proud member of Ontario’s Life Sciences Council, the industry plays a key role in Ontario’s health-care system and economy.

Ontario is the home of Canada’s generic pharmaceutical industry and the majority of its domestic jobs, investments and manufacturing capacity. Thirteen of CGPA’s 18 member companies have their Canadian operations headquartered in Ontario and employ more than 5,500 Ontarians in good paying jobs that support local communities. Member companies of CGPA are a key strategic asset to Ontario and Canada and operate research, development, production, packaging, warehousing, distribution and other facilities across Ontario, including in Brampton, Brantford, Burlington, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Stouffville, Toronto and Weston.

Through manufacturing facilities here in Ontario, the rest of Canada, and the global supply chain, generic pharmaceutical companies produce and deliver 75 percent of the prescription medicines dispensed in community pharmacies and used in hospitals and medical clinics in Ontario, but account for only 19.8 percent of the $17.8-billion Ontarians spend annually on prescription medicines. As these data illustrate, generic pharmaceuticals, and their continued introduction in the Canadian market, are key to the ongoing sustainability of prescription drug benefit plans.

Members of our Biosimilars Canada division are at the forefront of the global development and marketing of biosimilar medicines. As Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones noted when announcing Ontario’s biosimilar switching policy in December 2022, biosimilar medicines allow patients to continue receiving the same high-quality treatment, while allowing the government to fund more new drug therapies and bring innovation to the health-care system.”

About the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association

The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) represents Canada’s generic pharmaceutical industry. The industry plays an important role in controlling health-care costs in Canada. Generic drugs are dispensed to fill more than 76 percent of all prescriptions but account for account for less than 22 percent of the $41.5-billion Canadians spend annually on prescription medicines.

For more information, please contact :

Jeff Connell,
Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Tel: (647) 274-3379
Email: jeff@canadiangenerics.ca