International Trade committee  I understood and received it that way, and if we need more time later on, we'll certainly get together. I appreciate the question, because we're all interested in trying to handle health care costs. I have to say, though, that the figure you were using is unfounded. It is based on all kinds of false information; no country in the world uses weak IP to try to control health care costs.

International Trade committee  I'll ask Brigitte to complement my answer. When companies decide where to invest and bring jobs, they consider a number of factors: infrastructure, quality of the research, access to the health care system, and a number of other factors. IP is one of them. The size of the market is important, too.

International Trade committee  The sort of investment that Brigitte has just mentioned is the track record of our industry. Each time the government has moved forward, we have responded. In fact, changes in the Patent Act from 1987 have resulted in an increase of 1,500% in terms of R and D. Despite negative changes in the Canadian environment, we have honoured our commitment to Canada since that time by investing back 10% of our annual sales in R and D.

International Trade committee  Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much for the opportunity to appear today. I'm accompanied by Brigitte Nolet from Hoffmann-LaRoche Canada, one of our member companies, which has facilities in both Mississauga and Laval, and also Declan Hamill, our VP of legal affairs. Our industry, the innovative pharmaceutical industry, is a key player in Canada's knowledge-based economy.

Finance committee  I think we have to work very hard to increase equitable access to innovative medicines and vaccines across this country. I don't think a national plan is the way to do it, and I don't think it's the way you will be most effective. I do believe in a pan-Canadian approach, but I also do believe that the provincial governments should help set that direction.

Finance committee  We're still going through it, but it goes in a pretty good direction. Frankly, I think they've highlighted a lot of what we know and it's now time for action. If I can use the time of the answer, I would call this a very urgent issue. It's time to take some of those recommendations and move forward.

Finance committee  I think the report deserves further analysis. What I'll do is write to you with the answer to that question.

Finance committee  But the overall package, I think, is in a good direction. It's now time for action.

Finance committee  Thank you very much for the opportunity to present for Rx&D;, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, which represent about 50 research-based companies, with well over 15,000 men and women involved in high-level research in Canada. We create, deliver, and research new innovative medicines that save lives, improve the health care system, and I believe will add to the sustainability of our health care system, which incidentally every government is looking at.

Industry committee  I think that all committee members could simply get in touch with generic medicine companies, encourage them to use the regime and discuss voluntary measures with them. That way, we could move forward together and find much more creative solutions. I don't think that amending the legislation is necessary.

Industry committee  Mr. Bouchard, I can get you copies of documents issued by the Access to Medicine Foundation, which conducted an assessment of global trends. To answer your question, we began using our generic medicines through more voluntary and more creative measures. We could provide you with a long list of voluntary collaboration examples.

Industry committee  Then why haven't more people come forward?

Industry committee  It worked.

Industry committee  But when the rules were followed it worked in 60 days. Thank you.

Industry committee  When the rules were followed it worked.