News Release
2005-131
November 25, 2005
For immediate release
Minister Dosanjh introduces a Bill to protect Canada's supply of safe and affordable prescription drugs
OTTAWA - Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh today tabled legislation to protect Canadians' access to an adequate supply of safe and affordable prescription drugs.
"Proposals before the US Congress to legalize bulk imports of Canadian drugs, as well as the efforts of U.S. states to facilitate imports, underscore the need for this bill," said Minister Dosanjh. "The Bill also addresses recent concerns about maintaining an adequate supply of drugs in Canada to respond to potential infectious disease outbreaks."
The enabling legislation under the Food and Drugs Act provides for the establishment of an export restriction scheme under which the Governor in Council would create and maintain a list of drugs that the Minister of Health could prohibit from export, in the event of a shortage or likely shortage, if and when necessary to protect the health of Canadians. The legislation follows Minister Dosanjh's announcement on June 29, 2005, of a proposed strategy to protect Canada's supply of safe and affordable prescription drugs. The Government conducted public consultations on the strategy this fall with representatives of the public, health professions, provincial and territorial governments, regulators, consumer and patient groups, Aboriginal organizations, Internet pharmacy associations, distributors and wholesalers, and the pharmaceutical industry.
"This bill protects the health and safety of Canadians and the viability of our health system, while meeting our trade obligations," said Minister Dosanjh. "I would like to thank all those who participated in the recent consultations. Their input helped us to design this legislation, which responds to concerns expressed by Canadians, professional regulatory bodies and associations, among others."
Minister Dosanjh also announced that the Government will be proceeding with the establishment of a Drug Supply Network, which will strengthen Health Canada's capacity to detect drug shortages, providing an early warning system. The Network will establish contacts across the drug supply continuum, from the manufacturer to the pharmacist. This will assist the Department to assess drug shortage reports, determine the likely risk to human health and identify possible remedies.
The Export Restriction Scheme will enable the Government to prohibit exports and related advertising of a drug or class of drugs in the case of a shortage or anticipated shortage that puts Canadians’ health at risk. Export restrictions will interfere with the export trade only to the extent required to protect the health of Canadians and will be for a specific time period, subject to renewal.
Health Canada is still in the process of assessing feedback from the consultations on the proposal to require that prescription drugs be sold pursuant to a prescription issued within an established patient-practitioner relationship.
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Media Enquiries:
Adèle Blanchard
Office of Minister Dosanjh
Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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