The delay in the approval of new cancer drugs in Canada is causing significant suffering for patients and their doctors, as they face long wait times for necessary treatments that could save their lives. Patients are experiencing worsening health conditions and psychological anxiety due to these delays, while doctors express their frustration with the slow regulatory processes that hinder optimal care delivery.

According to a study conducted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, accelerating access to innovative cancer treatments could add up to 225,000 additional years of life for patients. However, the current healthcare system requires lengthy approvals due to bureaucratic and regulatory procedures, making new treatments unavailable quickly enough.

In Quebec, for example, the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) requires a full re-evaluation of the treatment, even if the molecule used has already been approved in other forms. This procedure leads to additional delays in providing improved treatments.

The Canadian healthcare system also faces other challenges, including a shortage of doctors and nurses compared to the demand for healthcare services, resulting in appointment backlogs and delayed service delivery, negatively impacting the quality of healthcare provided.

Despite these challenges, healthcare workers are making significant efforts to alleviate patient suffering, as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists work diligently to provide the necessary medical and psychological support, overcoming bureaucratic obstacles as much as possible.

Patients and support groups are calling on the government and regulatory bodies to take urgent action to streamline and expedite drug approval processes, ensuring that patients receive treatments in a timely manner and improving their quality of life.