Health committee  Yes, if you will allow it. I believe we have extraordinary research teams here in Canada, and that they have an impact across the world. However, in most cases, research teams can only demonstrate the value of new technologies that were introduced retroactively. That is much too late.

Health committee  With respect to total hip replacements, we are in a very good position to assess the implants' performance. There are methods such as radiostereometric analysis, which allow us to measure any change of position in the implants for a period of two years. If, over the course of those two years, the implant being tested does not demonstrate abnormal migration, we can predict that implant will work well for the next 15 to 20 years.

Health committee  Thank you. Those who are familiar with the introduction of new drugs into the Canadian therapeutic arsenal, or elsewhere in the world, know that there is a very strict process to follow. In many cases, those costs are covered by provinces or the state. Furthermore, it must be demonstrated that this medication is superior to the current treatment.

Health committee  Sure. I will do it in two slides. In this first slide, if you compare the revision rate or the re-operation of patients in the U.S.A. versus Sweden, you can see that the Swedish action taken on the introduction of new technology was very effective, and I would say in Europe there is a broad change to move forward with the evolution of new technology, including precision technology.

Health committee  Good afternoon. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Pascal-André Vendittoli. I am an orthopedic surgeon and professor at the University of Montreal. I receive funding from the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec. My research program involves the clinical assessment of new arthroplasty technologies for the lower limb.