Mr. Chairman, we can certainly dispose of the amendment and clause 2, or pass them, but either way, we are creating a problem. We have to resolve that problem before we can decide whether we want to accept or reject both the amendment and the clause.
We previously passed a schedule identifying which drugs could be sold in accordance with the Patent Act. However, Bill C-393 does not tell us either who or how that schedule could be amended.
My proposing a new definition of “pharmaceutical products”, Mr. Garneau was trying to identify the ideal mechanism whereby drugs could be added or removed from Schedule 1.
Department officials are saying that in terms of how as pharmaceutical products are currently defined, the mechanism is not sufficiently clear, refined and detailed. Before going any further, I think we have to find a way to fix this. If we just create problems by trying to dispose of the amendment and the clause too quickly, as framers of the legislation, we will not have done our job properly. I think that is what we should do, because that is what we're here for, Mr. Chairman.