Mr. Speaker, patients in Canadian hospitals today are receiving unlicensed blood products without their knowledge or consent. Hospitals have been informed of a shortage of the human serum albumin and told that unlicensed product is available through the Emergency Drug Release Program. Manufacturers are still not compliant with licensing regulations that were passed five months ago.
Is this not the same kind of situation that led to the spread of HIV and hepatitis C through the tainted blood scandal? Will the minister investigate this serious situation today and indicate what steps he is taking to ensure that manufacturers comply with the blood licensing regulations?