News Release
2003-58
July 17, 2003
For immediate release
Minister McLellan consolidates blood safety committees
OTTAWA - The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, announced
today the consolidation of the National Blood Safety Council (NBSC) and the Expert Advisory
Committee on Blood Regulation. Both committees are responsible for advising the government
on matters pertaining to blood safety in Canada. The new consolidated committee will use
the existing title and mandate of Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulation, and will
advise Health Canada on public health, ethical, public policy, and other issues pertaining
to blood safety within the responsibility of the federal government.
"Consolidating both bodies will allow the Government of Canada to work more closely with
the public and allow for more transparency", stated Minister McLellan. "Since the Krever
Commission five years ago, we have made substantial progress on blood safety. By consolidating
the Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulation, our objectives will be better met",
she added.
This announcement is in keeping with a recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry on
the Blood System in Canada's (Krever Commission) 1997 report which stated: "It is recommended
that the federal Minister of Health appoint an advisory committee to assist the Bureau
of Biologics (now the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate) in its assessment and
management of risk".
The Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulation will continue to provide ongoing technical
and scientific advice to Health Canada. Dr. Noni E. MacDonald of Dalhousie University,
Halifax, Nova Scotia will remain as the Committee's Chair. Selected NBSC members will be
invited to join the Expert Advisory Committee. The consolidation will effectively avoid
duplication and prevent two similar advisory bodies from competing for the same experts.
Health Canada will also draw on the advice of the Ministerial Science Advisory Board as
needed. Issues pertaining to patient safety will be addressed under the 2003 Health Accord
with the Provinces and Territories.
The decision comes at a time when members of the NBSC and the Canadian Hemophilia Society
have themselves acknowledged that Canada now has one of the safest blood systems in the
world.
"I would like to thank the NBSC members, who have served on the Council since its inception,
for their commitment. Council members should be very proud of their contribution to building
Canada's system for blood safety. Their scrutiny of the system as it underwent a significant
transition and their monitoring of the development of sound risk management practices for
the blood safety system proved to be invaluable", concluded Minister McLellan.
As indicated in a recent  NBSC report , the focus will now turn to increasing public involvement and transparency
in Canada's system for blood safety and strengthening the government's relationships with
patient groups and other stakeholders. To this end, discussions with the community of non-governmental
organizations have already been initiated by Health Canada. The public West Nile Virus
Regulatory Consultative Workshop held in January 2003, is a prime example of Health Canada's
commitment in this area.
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Media Inquiries:
Jirina Vlk
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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