Market Access Challenges for Innovative Medications in Women's Health in Canada: Overview of the Past 20 Years

In an era of growing awareness of barriers to women's health, this study aimed to generate quantifiable evidence on the challenges associated with introducing innovative medication for women's health in Canada. A targeted literature search was conducted to assess regulatory and reimbursement status of women's health medications over 20 years. Of 45 medications approved in the United States, only 53% were approved in Canada. From approval to patient access, women's health medications take 1 year longer than new drugs in general. It is critical for stakeholders to remove barriers and ensure that Canadian women have timely access to innovative medications.