Thanks for the clarification.
I represent Kelowna—Lake Country, the third-largest senior population in census metropolitan, and drug costs are a big concern to my constituents. UBC Okanagan, UBCO, and the UBC campus in the Lower Mainland did a study last year, released in April, and it said that in 2012 Canadians spent $33 billion on drugs. It said that Canada is losing out on negotiating lower drug prices. It goes on to talk about the cost per person of about $947. It says that Canada pays about 20% more for brand name drugs, yet Canada pays 90% more for the supply of generics compared to countries that negotiate the pricing.
I think the present program isn't correct as far as showing the competition; we're paying so much more for generics. Maybe you can share some ideas you might have on what our government can do to help the generic industry to grow R and D. Do we need to review the pricing structure? What are some of your suggestions so we can help bring those prices down for all Canadians?