Health

Health is a priority item for the Competition Bureau. Not only is the health sector vital to the well being of all Canadians, it is also an important part of the economy.

The Bureau’s work in the health sector is organized into three broad lines: encouraging and ensuring compliance with the Competition Act; advocacy focused on promoting government policies that will attain the benefits of competition in health-related markets; and outreach to health providers and consumers.

The Bureau is focusing its advocacy efforts on the generic drug industry and the self-regulated professions, while its enforcement activities are centred on combating health claims that victimize Canadians in the form of false or misleading representations, pyramid schemes, and deceptive marketing practices.

Health Fraud

Combating health fraud through enforcement and enhancing consumer information through outreach are a priority for the Bureau. Bogus weight-loss schemes, cure-all scams or products claiming amazing health effects are some of the many areas of health fraud targeted by the Bureau.

Health Fraud

Compliance and Enforcement

The Bureau is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act. Where appropriate, the Bureau has applied these Acts to the health sector, using a balance between compliance and enforcement.

Compliance and Enforcement

Advocacy

Through advocacy, the Bureau seeks to promote legislation, regulations and government policies that maximize the benefits from competition. The Bureau does not advocate for competition at the expense of other societal goals. Instead, the Bureau strives to ensure that these other goals are achieved in a manner that least restricts the benefits from competition.

Advocacy