It seems to me the data is highlighting that the deal made 20 years ago about extending patents and the requirement for greater investment is not really being lived up to. That is something I appreciate their highlighting for us.
I am concerned about the notion of evergreening, because that is on top of the 20 years of patent protection, and it is something, as my colleague mentioned, that the Supreme Court identified as draconian. These proposed regulation changes with no consultation with the generic industry would reinforce that, and who is going to take the hit? It will be Canadians, through both individual payments and their private drug plans, and through our provincial governments.
This is my question to you, Mr. Keon. The generics seem like a good news story. They are doing double the research. They're providing drugs at half the price of the name brand pharmaceuticals, which, as I understand it, are the fastest-growing cost to our medicare system across the country.
Can you explain to us what consultation and discussion you've had with the health minister or the industry minister or their officials, and what their rationale is for making this change?