Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to follow up on my colleague Mr. Fragiskatos's very good question. The risk mitigation approach is excellent, especially given the serious health risks. That's the most important factor.
I understand that other factors come into play, as our witnesses have clearly outlined. However, the medium- and long-term effects of certain products are to a large extent unclear, especially for more vulnerable groups like pregnant women. Very little information is available on the medium- and long-term effects that natural health products could have on pregnant women.
Is a risk mitigation strategy sufficient? Shouldn't a preventive strategy be developed instead?
That is still not the case, it seems. The products and manufacturing sites are not being inspected. No strategy has been put in place to prevent risk rather than trying to mitigate risk based on complaints. We need to ensure that all, or at least a reasonable sample, of the products that come to market in Quebec and in Canada are inspected to protect the health of Quebeckers and Canadians.
What guarantees do we have?
The question is for Health Canada officials.