A Ban on “Private Label” Generic Pharmaceuticals: Legal and Economic Context

In 2010, the Canadian province of Ontario passed regulations to prohibit pharmacy chains from selling their own “private label” (PL) generic drugs. Pharmacy chain owners Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation and Katz Group Canada challenged the regulations, stating they fell outside the purpose and authority of their overarching legislation that was meant to promote low drug prices. In 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favor of the ban,...