Health committee  I would just say that this has been a challenge. We have introduced some improvements to try to move this more quickly. We're streamlining some of our practices. We're fast-tracking review of some of the natural health products. We creating priorities and we're creating an electronic review, all with a view to bringing this in as quickly as possible.

Health committee  I simply want to say that each situation is different. In fact, there are two programs, one of which concerns drugs, and the other medical instruments. The criteria vary somewhat depending on the program. With regard to breast implants, this file isn't a new one; that's why you're more familiar with the situation than I am.

Health committee  I think what we're trying to do is approve 90% of our drugs within a standard time comparable to other jurisdictions. We're somewhat ahead of schedule, six months ahead of schedule, in having done that for new drug submissions.

Health committee  Within six months.

Health committee  Thank you. Mr. Chair, we are looking at accelerating work on the regulations, and we have prioritized some of the key regulations to move forward on. We understand that it's taken a while. We hope to have progress and initial publication in the Canada Gazette by 2007, with coming into force, in part II of the Canada Gazette, as early as possible after the consultations take place.

Health committee  Maybe I can elaborate just a little bit more. To deal with just two specific increases, the increase is mainly due to a transfer from Health Canada to provide for analysis of price utilization and cost trends under the national prescription drug utilization information system.