In many cases, we don't have access to the drugs that our community has in other countries. I can't tell you why that is, other than that it's probably a combination of the CDR process and the lack of will in the provincial formularies to fund the availability of these medications.
The other issue is timeliness. It does take longer in Canada to have these drugs reviewed and approved than it does elsewhere.
I would like to point out to you, as well, that our community is very globally integrated. People in Canada who have mental illnesses are in communication with other people in other countries who have mental illnesses through other advocacy groups and on the net. Very frequently--and I think the medical profession will agree with this--patients ask the doctor if they can be prescribed this medication.
Particularly when it comes to medications for people with mental illnesses, they are not as precise or targeted as other medications are. It's absolutely essential to have a menu of medications available as early as possible. I think, again, we all know that the earlier the intervention in a mental illness situation, the less harm can be done, the more likely recovery is, and the more likely the return to being good taxpaying citizens.