Dalla Lana School of Public Health

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Corporate activities including research, development, manufacturing, marketing, advertising, and sales are typically regulated, though the regulatory processes and requirements differ across jurisdictions. This is even more the case for corporations which manufacture health-related products such as pharmaceuticals, or products that may be harmful to health, such as tobacco and alcohol. Thus, the commercial determinants of health are in part, a complex product of the interactions between corporations and regulators.

In this seminar, we will have guest speakers detail their current research into the reactions and responses of corporations to regulatory actions. We will discuss key questions about the relative roles and responsibilities of corporations and regulators for population health and well-being.

For example, drug companies typically defend the use of their drugs when new safety problems are uncovered. Does the same apply to when drugs are removed from the market because of safety problems? This talk will examine this question from the Canadian point of view and secondarily look at whether the quality of the evidence leading to a withdrawal influences the responses from companies. Finally, the talk will raise the question of whether company responses affect how Health Canada deals with safety issues.