Whether it’s heart stimulators, insulin pumps or artificial hip joints, Canadians can face a peak in health costs if the President Donald Trump impose one 25% price On imports from Canada is expected to take effect on Saturday.
With the imminent rate, Medtech Canada, a national association representing 120 medical technology companies, warned that the cost of health technologies could increase considerably – in both countries – if Prices are implemented.
“Medtech Canada pleaded on behalf of the medical technology industry on this important issue, and our members provide and take this pricing threat very seriously,” said Gerry Frenette, Vice-President of Medtech Canada.
“We are working with our government partners and other key stakeholders to ensure that patients and clinicians have continued to access all the necessary medical technologies they need,” he told Global News in a Friday email.
Medical equipment has generally been exempt from prices between Canada and the United States, largely due to the free trade agreements such as the Canada-Unitated Canada Agreement (CUSMA).
However, the prices offered by Trump could mark a significant change, which potentially makes medical equipment costs – such as MRI machines, fans and wheelchairs – much more expensive.
In a letter to the Minister of Finance of Canada, Dominic Leblanc, on January 21, Medtech warned the potential prices on Canadian exports, as well as the reprisal rates imposed by Canada in the United States, would have an “immense” impact on The health system, patients wrapping patients significantly.
“The pandemic and post-country challenges of the supply chain have highlighted the immense importance of our sector. In recent years, there has been significant growth in the manufacture of medical technologies in Canada, but many of these manufacturers depend on American suppliers for raw materials and intermediate products, ”says the letter.
The United States is the United States.
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In 2022, imports of medical devices from the United States were evaluated at $ 5.2 billion, which represents 38% of total imports of medical devices of Canada, According to the intelligence of the Canada industrial sector.
And the same year, exports of Canadian medical devices to the United States were $ 3.08 billion CA, or 74% of total exports from Canadian medical devices.
The letter pointed out that due to the important commercial relationship, “the medical technology sector should not be targeted for reprisals against the United States, as the impact on our health system and patients would be too much immense.”
The letter also indicated that Canadian technologies play a key role in supporting the American health system and its citizens. The American prices on these products would increase production costs, which could ultimately make health care less affordable for providers and patients in both countries.
“In addition, American prices decrease the capacity of Canadian medical technology companies to compete on the American market, which, as mentioned above, is our largest export destination,” said the letter.
“The integrated nature of the North American medical technology supply chain means that prices on both sides of the border will reduce market access and have an impact on the affordability and accessibility of health care in Canada And in the United States, “he concluded.
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