“Canada First” is a phrase politicians have been using a lot lately. But it’s been focused primarily on steel, aluminum and other consumer products. Nurse and scientist Anne Snowdon wants to change that. She’s been documenting Canada’s chaotic and vulnerable medical supply system that she says puts patients and health care workers at risk. There are over 3,000 shortages of critical medical tools and medications every year — with Canada suffering the highest rate of disruption in the world. And most of these tools that are used to care for Canadians are being trucked in from other countries. If borders close or trade wars expand, the risk to health care front lines could be catastrophic. The COVID-19 pandemic, says Snowdon, was a warning. 

The goal is to make Canada’s invisible health care supply chain visible — spotting shortages quickly, promoting the sharing of products across provinces and territories, and preventing the waste of expensive medical equipment. Her team at the Supply Chain Advancement Network in Health (SCAN Health) has also launched a Built Here: Bought Here test website — helping hospital procurement teams reduce the massive reliance on imported products by looking for Canadian makers of medical supplies.

This episode is available in English. 

Episode transcripts can be found on our podcast web page.

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