Health Canada's Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women (SAC-HPW) convened to address critical issues in women's health, including breast implant oversight and the modernization of clinical trials. The committee's discussions and recommendations aim to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of health products and clinical research for women in Canada.
Breast Implant Oversight
The committee reviewed the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) report, Strengthening the Oversight of Breast Implants, and the government's response. While acknowledging progress in expanding government website information, the committee noted limitations in available data, particularly from private clinics performing breast implant surgeries. They suggested exploring successful health data collection models from provinces to inform policy.
Clinical Trials Modernization
A significant focus was placed on Health Canada's Clinical Trials (CT) Modernization Initiative. The Bureau of Policy, Science and International Programs (BPSIP) outlined the initiative's goals, including modernizing the CT regulatory framework to address evolving trial designs and incorporating feedback from consultations. The committee emphasized the importance of incentivizing industry to align with the decentralization of publicly funded women’s health product trials.
To improve clinical trial participation, especially among traditionally underrepresented populations, the committee recommended boosting education and awareness. This includes addressing disinformation and mistrust in the healthcare system, which can act as barriers to recruitment.
Integrating SGBA Plus
The Centre for Policy, Pediatrics and International Collaboration (CPPIC) presented strategies for integrating sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA) plus components into the Clinical Trials Modernization initiative. This approach aligns with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Diversity Plan. The committee discussed the complexities of intersectional analyses, such as examining effects based on sex, race, ethnicity, and other demographic factors like gender, geographic ancestry, genetic diversity, and income. They highlighted the need to collect comprehensive demographic data to better understand the diverse impacts of health products.
The SAC-HPW's recommendations aim to ensure that clinical trials are more inclusive and representative, leading to better health outcomes for all women in Canada.
