There is a discrepancy in the way the body of women and men respond to drugs and medical devices but until recently this fact was not recognized and researched. In order to provide the best possible health related regulatory decisions for all Canadians, stronger scientific evidence and advice correlating health products and women’s health is required.
As such, the Government of Canada has decided to establish an external Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women (SAC-HPW). The Committee membership shall reflect a balance of gender and regional representation, covering various areas of expertise, knowledge, and perspectives.
Its role is to provide Health Canada with timely patient-centered, scientific, technical, medical and clinical advice on current and emerging issues regarding women’s health and the regulation of medical devices and drugs. Namely the Committee will examine issues across the product life-cycle, from development to real-world use, with a focus on patient perspectives and experiences.
This includes providing advice to help inform the regulatory review process, addressing specific questions on women’s health related to the evidence used to support the safety, efficacy and quality of drugs and medical devices, and addressing questions on current and emerging issues (pre- and post-market) and identifying areas where clarification is needed with regard to policy, guidance and applicable regulatory requirements.
“I am extremely grateful to all of the members of our new Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women who have stepped forward to lend their knowledge and experience to improving the health and lives of women in Canada. I look forward to the advice they will provide to help shape future public policy for Canadian women.”
—The Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health
This week the Government of Canada is pleased to announce the membership of new Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women. The chair and nine core committee members come from across Canada and represent a wealth of knowledge, skills, and expertise. Health Canada will continue to seek additional expert input and consult ad-hoc members as needed to address key technical questions on specific topics. They will also continue to work with all provinces and territories and other government partners on a regular basis.
