Navigating US tariffs: What Canadian pharmacists need to know

While the U.S. tariff situation remains uncertain and continually evolving, the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) has been actively engaged on this issue and working with partners to ensure that Canadians’ medication access continues to be prioritized and safeguarded. We’ve also been urging the Canadian government to avoid retaliatory tariffs on medications, and to take action to protect patient access and affordability.

Recent activities: In addition to participating in a recent roundtable discussion on the impact of tariffs hosted by the federal health minister, we have participated in the federal consultations on retaliatory tariffs and engaged with media and partners, including during a March 21, 2025 webinar for the pharmacy community (see below).

While this is a constantly evolving issue, media interest has been growing lately around the potential impact on the drug supply on both sides of the border. As a result, pharmacists may be receiving more questions from patients at the pharmacy counter.

What pharmacists need to know

No need to panic—Canada’s drug supply remains stable. There are no immediate shortages, and pharmacies are maintaining their usual medication supply levels.
Long-term risks exist due to global supply chain impacts. If U.S. tariffs stay in place, they could increase manufacturing and import costs, potentially impacting availability of medications and other medical supplies down the line.
Medications should not be included in retaliatory tariffs. Pharmacists are calling on the federal government not to include pharmaceutical products in any retaliatory measures. CPhA has put forward several submissions on this issue.
We need government collaboration to protect patient access. We are advocating for relief measures for the sector to absorb cost pressures and ensure patients are not impacted.

Webinar recording

In this CPhA Advocacy webinar, originally hosted on March 21, 2025, McKesson Canada’s Anthony Leong and CPhA’s Joelle Walker discuss the potential impacts of tariffs and the strategies being discussed to protect your practice, patients, and Canada's drug supply chain. Canada’s new Minister of Health, Kamal Khera, also joined the webinar to provide the federal government’s perspective.

Disclaimer: This webinar was held on March 21, 2025. Since this issue is rapidly evolving, some information/events discussed during the webinar may now be outdated.