OBJECTIVES: The objective of PDCI’s Biopharmaceutical Ecosystem Index (the Index) is to rank 14 countries on their relative attractiveness for new medicine launch.

METHODS: Recognizing that global pharmaceutical manufacturers’ decisions on whether and when to launch a new medicine in a country are complex and multifactorial, Index authors convened an independent Editorial Advisory Board, composed of biopharmaceutical experts and experts on pharmaceutical policy and patient access issues to identify and weight indicators and measurements that commonly influence a global biopharmaceutical decision-maker’s perspective of a country’s launch attractiveness.

RESULTS: Canada ranks 10th out of 14 countries on its attractiveness for new medicine launch, putting it ahead of Italy, Norway, Belgium, and Spain which ranked 11th to 14th, respectively. Canada trailed the other countries in the analysis, which were (in order of overall attractiveness ranking, from first to ninth): the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland and Netherlands.

CONCLUSIONS: This study was conducted to better understand the potential underlying reasons for fewer or delayed Canadian launches of new medicines in recent years, and to shed light on which indicators or policies can have the greatest impact on Canada’s attractiveness for new medicine launches. The goal is to help Canadian policy makers and biopharmaceutical leaders engage in constructive dialogue towards creating the best possible system for Canadian patients to access new innovative medicines in the years to come.