As of January 1, 2019, Health Canada requires all manufacturers of class II, III, and IV medical devices sold in Canada to follow the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP). 

SAC members have raised concerns regarding the impact of MDSAP on their patients and clients, including access to the Passy-Muir Speaking Valve. The Passy-Muir Valve is currently an unlicensed medical device in Canada.

Health Canada has suggested the following alternatives to the Passy-Muir Speaking Valve: 
 

Health Canada has a Special Access Program to allow for access to unlicensed medical devices (such as the Passy-Muir Valve) in specific circumstances. 

The Special Access Program considers requests from health care professionals for access to unlicensed medical devices for emergency use, or if conventional therapies have failed, are unavailable or are unsuitable. Although Health Canada may issue an authorization for a medical device through this program, a manufacturer is not obligated to sell this medical device for special access purposes. 

A special access application would need to outline the circumstances for which approved devices are unsuitable or unavailable. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis, and a previous authorization does not necessarily mean that another authorization will be granted.

For additional information about the Special Access Program, please refer to Health Canada guidance:

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/special-access/medical-devices/guidance-health-care-professionals-special-access-custom-made.html

SAC members and associates are encouraged to contact meredith@sac-oac.ca should they encounter difficulty accessing an unlicensed medical device through the Special Access Program.