Adverse Reaction Reporting

Health Canada monitors health and safety risks related to the sale and use of chemicals, drugs and vaccines, food, pesticides, medical devices and certain consumer products. Health professionals and consumers can report adverse reactions to Health Canada and its partners using the programs listed below.

Clinical Trial Pharmaceutical and Biological Drugs

In relation to the authorized investigational drug, reactions that are serious and / or unexpected that have occurred inside or outside Canada must be reported to Health Canada by the sponsor of the clinical trial.

Consumer Products

To report a product related injury or death, or if you have a safety concern regarding a consumer product, contact your Regional Product Safety Office.

Cosmetics

If an adverse reaction to a cosmetic is suspected, stop using the product and contact the Cosmetics Program.

Drugs and natural health products used in animals

To report any side effects and suspected adverse reactions to drugs and natural health products used in animals, including lack of effect. Please visit this page for important safety information from Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate's Pharmacovigilance program.

Food

Adverse reactions to food products experienced by consumers or reported to industry should be reported to the local Canadian Food Inspection Agency Office.

Health Products for Human Use

Suspected adverse reactions to health products marketed in Canada, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, radiopharmaceuticals, medical devices, natural health products, and biologics can be reported to Health Canada by completing the appropriate form available through MedEffect.

Pesticides

Report any incident related to a pesticide to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, whether it involves a human, an animal or the environment.

Radiation-Emitting Devices

Report any adverse effect related to a radiation-emitting device (for example: ultrasound equipment, X-ray devices, microwave ovens, tanning equipment, or lasers) to the Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau.

Transfusion Transmitted Injuries Surveillance System

Report moderate or severe adverse event related to the transfusion of blood components, plasma derivatives and recombinant products to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Vaccines in Humans

Health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events following immunization to their local health unit.

Veterinary Biologics

Notify the Veterinary Biologics Section of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency when you encounter suspected adverse reactions to veterinary biologics (animal vaccines, antibody products or diagnostic kits for infectious animal diseases).