Mr. Chairman, this motion aims to tighten conditions for the Special Access Program for Medical Devices. We've noted that Health Canada and program administrators have eased up on restrictions since the program's inception in 1993. While only 17 requests for silicone gel implants were approved in 1993 and 1994, a total of 8,53 requests were approved in 2005-2006. A program developed to help special cases is now becoming a program accessed for breast augmentations in 80 per cent of the cases, not breast reconstructions, as originally intended.
Mr. Chairman, we are asking the Minister of Health to tighten eligibility conditions for the Special Access Program for Medical Devices by allowing surgeons to obtain silicone gel implants only for post-cancer breast reconstructions. I would also be willing to allow surgeons to use these implants for reconstructive surgery related to specific deformities.