Evidence of meeting #29 for Health in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was times.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Our time is running out.
Mr. Williams, you wanted to make a comment. Go ahead.
President, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx, & D)
The statements the generics have made are unfounded.
NDP
President, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx, & D)
If I have time.
President, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx, & D)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
NDP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
Excuse me, Madam Chair, it's my time. I didn't direct a question to him yet.
Conservative
NDP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
While he's commenting on that, if he could also comment on the feeling, the belief, the indications that although you may put one in ten dollars towards new research, most studies indicate that this is not in terms of new breakthrough drugs that will make a difference, but in evergreening, just redesigning drugs so that you can get more patent protection.
President, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx, & D)
Clearly, we believe in innovation and improving lives, and I think my figures clearly state that we actually are the ones saving lives. Generics are trying to copy our research, benefit from the fruits of our research.
The statements by the generics are completely unfounded. This will not extend patents. This is not based on a Supreme Court decision. If they had read the reassessment of the government, they'd see that all it is trying to do is clarify the intention to ensure that patents protected under regulations prior to 2006 continue to have that protection. It is straightforward in this.
The generics are actually trying to jump on a loophole and use a windfall interpretation that was never intended and is thwarting the will of parliamentarians. In fact, what they're trying to do is cut patents earlier.
I actually would like to challenge the generics and ask why it takes governments to force them to reduce their prices. We actually have stats that say if generics were more competitively priced—
NDP
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North, MB
I have the Gazette here, and the Gazette shows that we are in fact talking about the extension of brand-name patents.
Conservative
Bloc
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
A point of order.
It upsets me to see the generic drug industry people here arguing a particular case with the brand-name industry. I do not feel that this is the appropriate place for that kind of thing. We have questions that we would like to ask the witnesses.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
This is not a point of order. We will now go to Mr. Tilson.
Mr. Tilson.
Conservative
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
The two of you are obviously saying opposite things, and I understand that.
Mr. Williams, have you had your say, or is there anything else you'd like to add to this debate? I'm going to give equal time to the other guy too.
President, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx, & D)
Well, if you want to go back and forth, but—
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
I don't know. We don't want to go on indefinitely, but I want to make sure you both have your say.
President, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx, & D)
Well, very clearly—and I actually do want to debate health care and do believe that—
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Well, we don't have time for a debate. Please finish.
President, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx, & D)
I'm an ex-parliamentarian too, so I—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joy Smith
Could I just point out today that we are on the 10-year plan?
Mr. Tilson, could you please go on to another question? Mr. Williams, I think, has finished.
Conservative