CADTH FAQs

What does CADTH do?

CADTH delivers evidence, analysis, advice, and recommendations to health care decision-makers, so that they can make informed decisions about the optimal use of drugs and medical devices in our health care system.

Is CADTH a government agency?

No, CADTH is an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1989 by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments.

Where is CADTH located?

Across the country. While we are headquartered in Ottawa, we have an office in Toronto, and CADTH Liaison Officers and other staff located in a variety of communities.

Who works at CADTH?

We are a multidisciplinary team of people dedicated to improving health care through evidence-informed decision-making. Our staff includes experts in clinical research, health economics, information services, and knowledge exchange, as well as specialists in such fields as information technology, finance, and project management. Our Board of Directors and advisory committees draw members from academia, clinical practice, the public, and health policy-makers across the country.

Will CADTH work on any health care question?

CADTH responds to evidence needs related to health technologies, including drugs, diagnostic tests, surgical/medical/dental devices, and procedures used to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease; to promote health; or to improve rehabilitation and long-term care.

Does CADTH take into account the views of patient groups?

CADTH has devoted substantial effort to involving patients in the drug review process. We recognize that patients are the most important beneficiaries of our work, and we regularly request input from patient groups. Full details are available in our Provide Input section. Groups and individuals can also subscribe to our CADTH E-Alert and pCODR Communication updates to be notified when there is an opportunity for input into a drug review.

What are CADTH’s specific products and services?

We have developed a variety of products and services that provide different benefits to different users. For a full description, please visit our products and services page.

Who is eligible to request CADTH products and services?

CADTH customers are eligible to request new research from CADTH. A CADTH customer funds CADTH directly or has been designated as a customer by an organization that funds CADTH directly. Customers include policy, practice, and procurement decision-makers in:

• ministries and departments of health
• publicly funded organizations responsible for health service delivery:
  • health authorities
  • health facilities (e.g., hospitals, long-term care facilities)
  • public health agencies (e.g., cancer agencies, transplant agencies, centres for disease control).

Drug companies and tumour groups can submit applications to the CADTH Common Drug Review (CDR) and CADTH pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR). The CADTH Scientific Advice Program is a fee-for-service consultation offered to pharmaceutical companies.

Please see our eligibility page for more details.

Does it cost anything to get help from CADTH?

All of our reports are available for free on cadth.ca. Requests for new work are only accepted from eligible organizations within jurisdictions that fund CADTH. A CADTH Liaison Officer would be happy to look at your particular situation and give you a more specific answer.

Is there somewhere I can go to see if CADTH has already done work in a particular area?

When completed, our work is posted on cadth.ca. This growing repository of evidence is free and completely searchable.

How do I request products and services from CADTH?

Information on requesting CADTH products and services can be found on the Submit a Request page.

Does CADTH know enough about the conditions of my region/community to provide advice that works here?

CADTH Liaison Officers are located in jurisdictions across the country to ensure that CADTH stays current with regional issues, policies, and practices, and to provide one-to-one assistance to customers. At the same time, as a pan-Canadian organization, CADTH can provide unparalleled depth of expertise and knowledge of best practices from other jurisdictions.

What does “CADTH” stand for?

Our legal name is the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. We go by CADTH for simplicity’s sake.

Can CADTH provide me with information or advice about my health/medical situation?

CADTH does not provide medical service or advice. If you have a medical problem, please contact a qualified health professional.