Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to thank all the witnesses. Your comments are somewhat reassuring, but they also call for government involvement.
I was rather confused and concerned when Dr. Leitch said that the federal government had no responsibility regarding this issue, even though you all agree that it is a matter of public health. This morning on Radio-Canada, the Association médicale du Québec, Quebec's medical association, and the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, Quebec's federation of medical specialists, said that the federal government should get involved. All of you agree with that.
As has been said here, the regulations on drug safety, effectiveness and quality fall under federal jurisdiction. Suppliers must be approved, and that also comes under federal jurisdiction. It is being said that drugs are produced abroad and that shortages are an issue. I believe it was you, Ms. Lamarre, who said that, since 2006, shortages have quadrupled. The situation is serious. Something must be done. Patients are the ones caught in the middle of this.
I would like to know whether you feel that a security clause should be included in supply contracts to ensure that alternatives are always available. That echoes what the Canadian cancer association suggested before this committee last Tuesday. Ms. Attara talked about a Canada-wide guide for patients and doctors. That would make it possible to obtain the information in a consistent manner and to react to those issues.
I would first like to hear from Ms. Lamarre, and then from Ms. Attara.