Geoff Regan

[Government Response to Petitions, March 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 21 petitions.

[Privilege, March 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to quickly add a little to what the hon. President of the Treasury Board has said. I simply want to point out that the question of whether or not something was designated a major crown project is not a question of parliamentary procedure. Obviously it is a question of administrative process and therefore is a matter which is the prerogative of the government.

[Question No. 45, February 28th, 2003]

I am informed as follows:

Health Canada:

The Canadian Adverse Drug Reporting Monitoring Program, CADRMP, in Health Canada is responsible for the collection and assessment of adverse reactions that have been submitted by health professionals or consumers, either directly or through manufacturers. Information on all reported adverse reactions is maintained in a computerized database and is used as part of the continuing assessment of marketed health products. It is important to remember that reports to the CADRMP represent the suspicion, opinion or observation of the individual reporter. Cause and effect relationships have not been established. Adverse reaction information is used to help ensure the benefits of a marketed health product continue to outweigh the risks, to continuously update the labelling and product information for a marketed health product and to inform health care professionals and consumers about adverse reactions.

Since mefloquine was marketed in Canada, 1993 to October 8, 2002, the Canadian Adverse Reaction Monitoring Program, CADRMP, has received a total of 65 reports in which mefloquine was listed as suspected or interacting drug.

Health Canada analyzes adverse reaction reports to discover potential health product safety signals. A signal is considered to be the preliminary indication of a product related issue, for example a report of an unusual or unexpected adverse event, or an increase in the number of reports of a particular adverse event. The identification of a signal is not by itself the proof of the association of an adverse reaction to a health product but it triggers the need to further investigate a potential association. Health Canada’s regulatory actions are based on a scientific analysis of cases and are taken according to the regulatory framework in place. This includes updating the product monograph. Since Lariam, mefloquine, was approved in 1993, the Product Monograph has been revised seven times.

Health Canada continues to monitor the adverse reaction profile of mefloquine. The Marketed Health Products and Therapeutic Products Directorates are working in collaboration to ensure that measures are taken to address safety issues and make sure that the information in the Canadian Product Monograph is accurate, current and reflective of the Canadian experience. With regard to Lariam, mefloquine, there was a communique in the Canadian Adverse Reactions Newsletter, Volume 8, No 1, January 1998, on the neuropsychiatric reactions with the prophylactic use of this antimalarial drug. The Canadian Product Monograph of Lariam, mefloquine, contains all information on very rare neuropsychiatric reactions reported in some patients as well as cautions to be considered by physicians when prescribing this drug.

Because information that could identify the patient or the reporter in an adverse reaction report is confidential as per section 19(1) of the Access to Information Act, Health Canada cannot comment on investigations of any case by Health Canada or other government agencies.

National Defence:

a) The Department of National Defence reviewed the report.

b) Given that the report deals with incidents that the Department examined in the past, no further investigation is deemed warranted.

[Physical Activity and Sport Act, February 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been discussions among the parties and I think if you were to seek it you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That Bill C-332, an act to confirm the rights of taxpayers and establish the office for taxpayer protection, stand in the name of the member for Mississauga South.

[Questions on the Order Paper, February 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[Government Response to Petitions, February 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 26 petitions.

[Motions for Papers, February 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Notices of Motions for the Production of Papers be allowed to stand.

[Question n, February 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I suggest that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[Questions on the Order Paper, February 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Question No. 82 will be answered today.

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82--

[Committees of the House, February 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties and I think if you were to seek it you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That 11 members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights be authorized to travel to Vancouver; Edmonton; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Steinbach, Manitoba; Halifax; Sussex, New Brunswick; Sudbury; Toronto; Iqaluit; Montreal; Rimouski; or elsewhere in Canada, in April and May 2003 in order to hold public hearings in relation to its study on marriage and the legal recognition of same-sex unions, and that the necessary staff do accompany the committee.