Thank you.
When we undertook the study, the analysts from the Library of Parliament told us this about the PMPRB:
...an independent quasi-judicial body whose mandate is to regulate the prices of patented prescription and non-prescription medicines to ensure that the prices are not “excessive“ during [the] period of market exclusivity. It does not have a mandate to set the prices of patented medecines [sic] sold in Canada.
Dr. Batt, in a joint written submission to the committee, you said:
When independent stakeholders and industry representatives hold “divergent and even diametrically opposing points of view,” the PMPRB’s responsibility is not to strike a “balance” between the demands of industry and policies that serve the public interest. The PMPRB’s role is to come down firmly on the side of the public. It is not to protect the payers... and it is definitely not to make concessions to an industry that is far too powerful.
I wonder if you can expand on what you think the role of the PMPRB should be.