A whole-system approach to pharmaceutical sovereignty includes not only where medicines are made but also how they are delivered, supported and accessed by Canadians. As the last mile of pharmaceutical supply chain, pharmacies are critical healthcare infrastructure and vital to the success of Canada's pharmaceutical sovereignty and overall life sciences strategy. We encourage the Standing Committee on Health to:
- Strengthen capacity across the full innovation and life sciences ecosystem.
- Recognize pharmacies as critical infrastructure in the pharmaceutical supply chain and ensures pharmacies have the staffing and regulatory tools needed to respond quickly to supply disruptions and maintain continuity of care.
- Build real-time, connected systems and infrastructure that includes the pharmacy‑level for increased visibility to detect shortages earlier and coordinate faster interventions.
- Deepen global partnerships to diversify supply, maintain access to essential inputs, and support stable, affordable access to medicines for Canadians.