It is very rewarding to think that the second edition of our publication has been so well received by those responsible for providing advice on the regulatory requirements for the commercialisation of health products. The success of the second edition reinforced the view of the co-editors, Jeffrey Gibbs of Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, PC (Washington) and Jeffrey Graham of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Toronto) that our effort helps to fill a need for advisers, being asked to provide strategic advice on international commercialisation strategies, to have access to a concise multi-jurisdictional reference tool.

This third edition continues to draw upon many of the leading legal advisory firms with expertise in health products that participated in the earlier editions. In addition, this edition has contributions from leading firms and practitioners in a number of new jurisdictions, notably Greece, Portugal, and the UAE, reflecting our view that we are all better off as advisers in our particular jurisdictions having a sense of the very dynamic international regulatory environment in which our clients find themselves. In addition, the network of legal advisory firms that we have created, with the assistance of Thomson Reuters, gives each of the participating firms comfort when making international referrals that they have access to firms of high standing in other jurisdictions with expertise in health products.

We would also want to recognise the support we have received from Thomson Reuters in all phases of this project. We feel very privileged to have partnered with this outstanding global organisation. Not only does Thomson Reuters have the highest editorial standards, as reflected in the content of each chapter, but their extraordinary distribution capabilities ensure that our publication will receive the broadest possible readership.

Since the second edition was published important new trade agreements have been reached between Canada and the European Union and among the countries of the Pacific Rim that have the potential to promote further globalisation in trade, including health products. As a result, there is no doubt that future editions of this publication will have new issues and opportunities to address.

Toronto, March 2018.

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