Madam Chair, I'd be happy to answer that question.
The other thing I want to mention is that the lack of access to some of these newer antimicrobials is not just about mortality. Mortality is a big thing and something we think about. We have seen an increased number of deaths in our hospitals, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had multi-drug resistant organisms that we needed to go through the special access program. During that time, it was very challenging, as we didn't have the drugs on hand.
It's not just about mortality. There's also increased pressure in the hospital system in terms of the census of hospitals. For instance, if we don't have access to one of these first-line antibiotics through the special access program, we have to use a second-line agent, which not only doesn't work as well usually, but also has more toxicity. The patients end up staying in hospital for a longer period of time.
There's also some misalignment with the clinical practice guidelines and the drugs that we have access to. That needs to be looked at from the federal side, but especially on the provincial side, where we want to send patients home on an antibiotic and there's no coverage there.
I'm happy to address other questions but, because of the time, I'll conclude there.