Does Canada's proposed drug recall bill go far enough?
Vanessa's law was named for the daughter of MP Terrence Young who tragically died of a heart attack after taking a prescription drug. Vanessa's law would protect Canadian families from unsafe medicines. But Rona Ambrose, Canada's Minister of Health, has no power to recall a drug that is problematic. Neither does Health Canada. A new bill is set to change...
Vanessa's law was named for the daughter of MP Terrence Young who tragically died of a heart attack after taking a prescription drug. Vanessa's law would protect Canadian families from unsafe medicines. But Rona Ambrose, Canada's Minister of Health, has no power to recall a drug that is problematic. Neither does Health Canada. A new bill is set to change that. We look at whether these changes would go far enough in ensuring the safety of Canada's drug supply.The Canadian government has the power to recall a toy it believes is dangerous -- but not a drug. A gap in the Food and Drug act means the only way one can be pulled from the shelves is by the manufacturer itself. Neither Health Canada nor the Minister of Health can order a recall. Later this month, the House of Commons is expected to debate Bill C-17, also known as Vanessa's Law, in honour of the daughter of MP Terence Young. Vanessa Young died of a heart attack while taking a drug for a stomach ailment. Here's Terence Young MP for Oakville, Ontario speaking in the House of Commons in December:
"Vanessa would have been 28 years old by now, perhaps working as a social worker, her personal goal. Instead, in 2000, at age fifteen her life was sacrificed to maintain the sales of a Wall Street blockbuster drug.She was a victim of aggressive and illegal marketing in an industry that values sales and shareholder value over human life and health".MP Terence Young, speaking at the House of Commons. December 6th, 2013
- David Lee is director of Health Canada's Office of Legislative and Regulatory Modernization and he helped draft Bill C-17. He was in our Ottawa studio.
- Matthew Herder is an assistant professor in the faculties of medicine and law at Dalhousie University, and he co-authored an analysis of Bill C-17 for the Canadian Medical Association Journal. He was in Halifax.
- Jared Rhines is Vice President of Scientific and Strategic Affairs at R-x-&-D, an association that represents more than 50 pharmaceutical companies in Canada. He was in our Ottawa studio.
Have thoughts you want to share on this discussion?
Tweet us @thecurrentcbc. Or e-mail us through our website. Find us on Facebook. Call us toll-free at 1 877 287 7366. And as always if you missed anything on The Current, grab a podcast.
This segment was produced by The Current's Lara O'Brien and Marc Appolonio