Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to enter into the discussion on the motion made by the member for Winnipeg North Centre. It proposes to put into place a system of mandatory reporting for adverse drug reactions.
My first reaction is surprise that it is not already in place, but one thing about our job is that we often get surprises and this is a surprise to me that there is no mandatory requirement for that. I noticed in reading the minutes of the subcommittee on private members' business that I am not the only one who is surprised.
The Liberal member for Hull--Aylmer was also very surprised. He asked if there is not anything through Health Canada that is compulsory. The member for Winnipeg North Centre replied, no, stating that is why it was raised.
The member for Hull--Aylmer again asked if there was no system whatsoever. There is no system whatsoever to require reporting of an adverse drug reaction and that is why this is a very appropriate matter to bring before the House and is something that we should be considering in the way we are, and perhaps even as a motion.
It is an important matter. I thank the member for Winnipeg North Centre for bringing it to our attention.
In her appearance before the subcommittee on private members' business shortly before the summer recess, the hon. member spoke of the tragic and unfortunate death of Vanessa Young, who passed away after taking Prepulsid. She said that was one of the reasons that pushed her to bring the motion forward. Indeed, seemingly preventable incidents such as this one clearly reveal the need to review departmental regulations regarding the reporting of adverse drug reactions. It only makes sense.
In light of the preventability of harm caused by these adverse affects, and in light of the increasing reliance on drugs in our health care system, this is clearly a matter worthy of the attention of the Department of Health and, indeed, the health minister. Measures such as the one proposed by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre are important because they go to the very heart of the issue of informed choice. This is about giving consumers and patients the information they need to make wise decisions about their health and the health of their families.
My party has long recognized the contribution of Canada's pharmaceutical industry to economic growth and innovation. The proof, as I have pointed out, is in the growing importance of drugs and the delivery of health services.
What is important now is for the government to provide the necessary regulatory framework to ensure that Canadians are best able to benefit from the advancement in pharmaceuticals but at the same time are protected from some of the potential dangers.
I believe this initiative moves the debate in the right direction. I encourage the member to pursue her efforts in bringing this issue to the attention of the government again and again. If a private member's bill is ever brought to the House, it is my hope that it will be chosen as votable. To be sure there are important questions that need answers, such as how much a system like this would cost, who would implement it and what the federal-provincial ramifications are of any such regulations.
I encourage the hon. member to toughen the language of any future motion or bill when it comes to federal-provincial co-operation. Simply put, when it comes to the government, consultation is just not enough. The government has shown itself perfectly capable of talking the talk of collaborative federalism while developing policies as it, and only it, sees fit.
If this comes back as a private member's bill I can assure the member for Winnipeg North Centre that I will be supporting the initiative and I thank her for bringing it forth.