Evidence of meeting #53 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was health.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Colin Carrie Conservative Oshawa, ON
Thank you very much.
I think you made a good point, that a lot of this does sound somewhat paternalistic--or it does to me. Should we be dictating? Should you be even buying these drugs? Should you be spending it on wells or irrigation systems or feeding your population? I'm not sure.
To my understanding, Canada has some of the most expensive generic drugs out there.
Mr. Clark, you brought that up. Can you explain to me how drug pricing factors into this whole equation? And logistically, can Canada even compete with some of these other countries?
5:30 p.m.
Director, Patent Policy, Department of Industry
I'm not an expert on pricing. You just hear anecdotally that not only Canada but also generic drug companies in developed countries can't compete with generic drug companies in developing countries. I think that's just an obvious thing.
As for Canadian generic drug prices, a number of studies lately have said different things. That question would best be directed to the industry. I don't want to pronounce on it. I'm a patent guy, not a price guy.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
No?
Thank you very much, Mr. Carrie.
I want to thank all of you for coming in and being with us today. I thought it was a very informative session. I want to thank you for your time and your presentations. If you have any further information for the committee, please submit it to me or the clerk and we'll distribute it to all the members.
Again, thank you very much for your time here today.
The meeting is adjourned.