Thank you for the question, Mr. Chairman.
Under the government's Treasury Board policy on the code of conduct for public servants, each department is expected to assess the particular risks that apply to its operations and ensure it has measures in place to mitigate those risks.
So with respect to regulating pharmaceutical drugs, in my view there are potential risks of conflicts of interest. Two examples come to mind, Mr. Chairman.
One is what I would refer to as complacency risk. If you're working with the same drug manufacturer too long, there's a risk you'll become too familiar with its processes and perhaps become complacent in your review.
Another risk I can think of off the cuff is the risk of financial benefit. Decisions to approve or not approve drugs could have impact on trading values of pharmaceutical companies, and public servants could inappropriately take advantage of that.
What we've found is that the department has not yet assessed its particular situation in regard to the risks that apply to the regulation of pharmaceutical drugs. We've encouraged them to do that and ensure they have appropriate mitigating actions in place.
The last comment I'll make, Mr. Chairman, is that I am aware that the department is now seized with this issue, and as recently as last week--Neil?--has undertaken certain initiatives to remind its employees of their conflict of interest obligations.