Health groups urge shielding medical supplies, devices from counter-tariffs

A treatment room is pictured at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

TORONTO — Health associations are urging governments to ensure Canadian patients don’t get caught in the crossfire of the ongoing trade war with the U.S.

“The announced tariffs on Canadian exports, along with retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada on the U.S., will likely bring significant risks to Ontario’s health care system, including the disruption of access to vital equipment and supplies,” Melissa Prokopy, vice-president of policy and advocacy for the Ontario Hospital Association, said in an email statement to The Canadian Press on Thursday.

“The OHA is very concerned about the impact of this trade war on the delivery of care and is engaging with the federal and provincial governments and other stakeholders to fully understand and minimize the impact on hospitals,” she said, noting that much is still unknown in the “evolving” political climate.

Christine Donaldson, president and CEO of HealthPRO Canada, which purchases medications, supplies and equipment for more than 2,000 hospitals, health-care facilities and long-term care homes across the country, said the company is also seeking clarity about potential future counter-tariffs.

“We do stand with the government, you know, that U.S. tariffs cannot go unanswered. However, health care must be protected,” Donaldson said in an interview on Thursday.

“We are looking for exemption of health-care products from any retaliatory tariffs. This will be very important to protect supply chain stability and prevent any kind of cost escalation,” she said.

Donaldson compared the manufacturing process for many health-care supplies to the automotive industry, where raw materials and components often go back and forth across the U.S. border “several times before they reach their finished production.”

Although it’s not yet clear what products could be affected by future counter-tariffs, Donaldson said some essential medications, medical devices and diagnostic imaging equipment -- including MRI and CT scanners, surgical tools and ventilators -- often come from U.S. manufacturers.

Counter-tariffs on food, mattresses and other non-medical goods could also affect hospitals, she said.

Health charities and associations are also voicing concerns about the trade war’s impact on patients.

Glenn Thibeault, executive director of government affairs, advocacy and policy for Diabetes Canada, said the organization is getting calls from people worried that costs will rise for “basically lifesaving supplies” such as medications, test strips, continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps.

“Diabetes unfortunately is a very expensive chronic condition,” he said, noting that people with type 1 diabetes who don’t have insurance coverage already face out-of-pocket costs of up to $18,000 a year.

Diabetes Canada, along with other health charities, have been speaking with federal Health Minister Mark Holland about their concerns and trying to ensure that materials used to package medications and make medical devices aren’t included in any future rounds of counter-tariffs, Thibeault said.

Holland has assured health associations that he hears their concerns, he said.

In a global supply system, making pharmaceuticals and medical devices often involves multiple countries, so it might be difficult to pinpoint all the specific components that come through the U.S. that might be subject to counter-tariffs, said Thibeault.

“One of the things that we don’t want to see is any unintended consequence, right?” he said.

For example, the government could push a counter-tariff on a type of plastic without realizing that it’s used to make injectors for some diabetes medications.

“Those are the things that we’re flagging for them to make sure that there’s no unintended consequence,” he said.

By Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2025.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.