Health Canada

The Access to Drugs in Exceptional Circumstances regulatory pathway enables access to drugs which have been authorized for sale in certain foreign jurisdictions, but are not available in Canada, to address urgent public health needs. This pathway is intended for public health events that are...

Health Canada recognizes the negative impact of drug shortages on patients, health care professionals and the health care system, and is working with stakeholders throughout the supply chain to better prevent, mitigate and communicate shortages.

Drug shortages can occur for any number of reasons and can result from problems at any point in the drug supply chain.

The Canadian drug supply chain is complex, with distinct roles and responsibilities among many players including manufacturers, wholesalers, hospitals, health care practitioners and governments.

In the event of an anticipated or actual drug shortage, Health Canada may issue letters to DIN owners that have failed to provide notification to the public on the Canadian Drug Shortage Website.

Health Canada is responsible for helping the people of Canada maintain and improve their health. This is done, in part, by our commitment and actions to help protect the Canadian drug supply, thus ensuring that people in Canada have access to the drugs they need when they need them. Health Canada...

Short-term exposure to high levels of some Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) can cause breathing problems and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and headaches.

Wi-Fi equipment is now commonly located in most homes, schools and businesses. Learn about the safety of Wi-Fi equipment.

Power lines and electrical products emit extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (EMF). Learn about the safety of power lines and electrical products.

Ground-level ozone can cause a variety of health effects, including coughing, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, chest discomfort, shortness of breath and decreased lung function. You are more sensitive to ozone if you have an underlying breathing condition.

Some people may be at greater risk of exposure to chemicals and pollutants.

Utility companies in several provinces have installed wireless smart meters in Canadian businesses and residences. Learn about the safety of smart meters.

Today it is widely recognized that human health is affected by changes to our environment and that these changes can have a positive or negative impact on our health. Developments such as the expansion of urban living environments and advanced sanitation systems have greatly contributed to...

Recent reports raise concerns about the number of environmental chemicals in our bodies. They also address the possible health effects that may be linked to the levels of these chemicals.

It's important that the places we call home are healthy environments, for ourselves and our visitors. Risks to health can occur in any home through environmental factors from nature itself, products we use, the air we breathe, or sometimes from the food we eat, or the water we drink. This guide...

On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake triggered a severe nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. The accident culminated in significant releases of radioactive contaminants into the environment beginning March 12, 2011. The emissions were of...

This Human Health Risk Assessment for Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is a comprehensive review of the most relevant health- and exposure-related science for this air pollutant, prepared by the Air Quality Assessment Section of Health Canada.

Dimethoate is an organophosphorus insecticide and acaricide used for the control of houseflies, as well as a wide range of insects and mites on a variety of fruit, vegetable, field and forestry crops. More than 100 000 kg are used annually in Canada. The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for...

Diquat (C12H12N2) is a bipyridyl herbicide generally marketed as a dibromide salt or a dichloride monohydrate. It is used as a pre-harvest desiccant for various seed crops, for potato haulm destruction and for the control of aquatic weeds. Less than 100 000 kg are used annually in Canada; 96% of...

Biomonitoring is a key tool used as an indicator and quantitative measure of exposure to chemicals in the environment. Human biomonitoring data contribute to our understanding of exposure and provide information to inform the management of the health risks posed by chemicals.