Good day. I'm somewhat surprised to hear all of you say that are you pleased with the Common Drug Review process. The industry's R&D sector is singing quite a different tune. We're hearing from sector representatives that wait times are too long. Mr. Potter, on the other hand, claims that it now takes less time than before to list and market a new drug.
We also have some figures showing that since the Common Drug Review was instituted, fewer drugs have been listed. In Quebec, where no such program exists, more pharmaceuticals are listed and qualify under drug benefit plans. The figures that I have are quite different from yours.
You stated that in any event, even is a drug was not approved for listing under the Common Drug Review, you would list it anyway and include it in a drug plan. I find your position somewhat contradictory. You seem to be satisfied with the current situation and have no recommendations to make, or concerns to voice about the listing process, about wait times and possible duplication at different levels. I'm a little surprised by this.
For example, I was expecting you to say that some drugs are not available, especially since you have some clients under federal government jurisdiction, and that people are not very happy with the existing process.
Are you saying then that veterans and First Nations are satisfied and that you're not being pressured in any way to make certain drug products available?