AI Industry Working Group
Posts
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347 - Is the message "Now Approved" acceptable in APS? It seemed that at one time, this was discouraged due to the perception of Health Canada endorsement -
🎉Big news from PAAB regarding AROs!🎉Happy Monday @Manufacturer @Agency
Change is in the air for PAAB’s Accelerated Review Options (AROs)!
A client favourite, the ARO service has built a strong track record of expediting approval for the types of submissions that fall within its scope. This success has motivated us to explore creative ways to expand its availability, and make it even better.
This expansion is designed to meet industry needs head-on. We’ve listened to your feedback and invested in processes that make this possible.
The following outlines the key changes to the ARO service including a revised fee structure that will take effect December 8th, 2025.
New: ARO availability broadened significantly
Historically, ARO was limited to a narrow slice of submission types. As of December 8, 2025 we are flipping the model: ARO is now available for most submissions, with only a few exceptions.
Note: Previously approved content (appropriately shaded) is not considered new content and would not apply to the new content page limits listed above.
If you'd like your APS assessed for ARO eligibility due to special circumstances (e.g., PAAB has already provided an opinion on the acceptability of a study), please reach out to review@paab.ca for a free assessment
Messenger functionality is now included with every ARO until March 31, 2026 at no cost
We’ve received very positive feedback on the new messenger feature, and early trends show that it effectively contracts time to approval. In advance of our 50th anniversary, we are offering messenger bundled with any ARO review at no additional cost for the end of Q1, 2026.
To activate messenger, either request it within your initial submission form or email review@paab.ca. This applies to both ongoing and new AROs. Please note that only one package of 5 messages is included as part of this offer.
Note: Messenger remains available at cost for standard (non-ARO) submissions.
ARO is now available for DTC submissions
ARO-2 can now be used for direct-to-consumer (DTC) submissions, provided the submission contains fewer than 10 pages of new content. There are no exclusions applicable to ARO-4.
Notable ARO fee changes
• ARO supplemental page fee increase to reflect the more detailed assessments that are now available to ARO:
- ARO-7 and ARO-10: $2/page → $4/page
- ARO-2 and ARO-4: $4/page → $8/page
• Removal of automatic upgrades for short ARO submissions: Previously, APS with ≤2 pages of new content received a free level upgrade. This policy created tracking and reporting challenges. Broader ARO availability would further accentuate these challenges. As such, automatic upgrades have been retired.
Please reach out below with any questions.
Thank you
PAAB Team -
Product is "in stock" claimHello @support
If we are to assume that this is in an HCP gated space, we would advise that claims should not directly/indirectly highlight things like the shortage of competitor(s). Instead, the message may focus on reminding the audience about the sponsor’s product and availability in the market. You correctly identified that it would not be exempt. The piece would be subject to the Code and would require lowest level fair balance if restricted to a product availability message. -
DTC URLHey @Username
In the consumer space, a standalone message such as “Get Brand X” can be acceptable when used strictly as a DTC reminder ad. However, a URL is rarely a standalone message. Its acceptability depends on the entire ecosystem around it, including:
• the content that drives traffic to the URL
• the content on the landing page
• any content linked after the landing page
If those connections change the overall impression or strengthen the implied message beyond a reminder ad, the URL may no longer be acceptable.
Because of this, it’s essential to share all current and planned linked content during the review process. With the full context, the reviewer can guide you on whether the URL maintains an appropriate attitude of caution and meets PAAB requirements.
It’s also important that any new materials that will link to this URL clearly communicate that a linkage will occur, so PAAB can assess the combined effect. -
Annotated PM when no changes to APS, and no content is referencedGood Morning @MondayMover
In general, what people do is upload the “track changes” version between the original and updated PM. When there are multiple version updates, they provide (upload) the sequential PM track changes PDFs. You do not need to annotate each version of the TMA to the APS, only the most recent PM. In the case described, it sounds like there would be no annotations within the PM as no copy is referenced back to it. If that is the case, it’s likely sufficient to upload the most recent clean PM with an explanation of why the new TMA with annotated changes may not be necessary. Please feel free to reach out to admin for support during the submission process.
. However, the copy "Now authorized" alone is incomplete (authorized how? for what?) it should be restricted to "Authorized for use in..." or "Authorized for sale in ...".
