Canada’s Drug Agency

We are Canada's Drug Agency (CDA-AMC), a pan-Canadian health organization. We were established in 1989 by Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial governments and operate as an independent, not-for-profit entity. Our headquarters are in Ottawa, with a satellite office in Toronto, and we have staff located across Canada. As of May 1, 2024, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) transitioned to become Canada's Drug Agency, building on our existing mandate and functions. This evolution allows us to expand our expertise and role in the pharmaceuticals sector while upholding the core principles that guide our organization.

Our core mission is to provide Canada's health system leaders with independent evidence, analysis, advice, and recommendations. This empowers them to make informed decisions about the optimal use of drugs, medical devices, and health technologies within our publicly funded health care system. We are dedicated to powering evidence-informed drug and health technology decisions to foster sustainable, world-class health care for all Canadians. Our work involves a multidisciplinary team of nearly 250 employees with diverse expertise in areas such as clinical research, health economics, information services, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and information technology. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, team-focused environment where continuous improvement is central to our identity. We collaborate extensively with national and international partners, including governments, patients, clinicians, Indigenous leaders, and industry, to enhance our collective impact and address the complex challenges within Canada's health systems.

A key part of our expanded mandate includes improving the appropriate prescribing and use of medications, increasing pan-Canadian data collection, expanding access to drug and treatment data (including real-world evidence), and reducing duplication and improving coordination within the drug system. We recognize the traditional territories, rights, and diversity of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada and are committed to addressing health inequities alongside Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation. Our vision is to drive better coordination, alignment, and public value within Canada's drug and health technology landscape, ultimately helping people access and afford the prescription drugs they need for better health.