What process did Health Canada follow for updating its user fees?
In 2004, the Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) undertook a significant project to update its cost recovery framework. Consultations were undertaken with industry, health professionals, patients and consumers, and independent advisory panels reviewed complaints that had been raised. The culmination of this work has resulted in Health Canada’s Proposal to Parliament for User Fees and Service Standards for Human Drugs and Medical Devices Programs. The proposal sets out updated fees, as well as fee mitigation measures and provision for an annual adjustment of fees. On April 12, 2010, the Minister of Health tabled Health Canada’s proposal in the House of Commons. The proposal was tabled in the Senate the following day. In May 2010, the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology reviewed the proposal. The Committee provided a report to the Senate indicating their support for the proposal with no observations or modifications. The Senate subsequently adopted the
