Mr. Speaker, we talked to people in the biotech sector about the review done by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, the PMPRB.
I am not an advocate for big pharmaceutical companies, nor do I want to be, but I was told that could have a devastating effect. Big pharmaceuticals do not do research, and they definitely do not do clinical trials if they know they will not be selling the products they are developing. There could be unintended consequences. I am not saying I am against the PMPRB's review, but we have to understand how that review will impact the biotech research sector.
I am not a biotech expert, but biotech experts tell me that there could be negative effects that have not been accounted for. The Standing Committee on Health is actually studying this issue. I am not prepared to give a quick answer, but I urge everyone to be prudent about this.