FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Health Committee UNDERTAKES A STUDY

ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

 

 

Ottawa, August 13, 2003 - The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health plans to hold cross-country hearings this fall for its study on prescription drugs.

 

The Committee will focus its study on the health aspects of various issues relative to prescription drugs (patented and generic) in Canada, such as the rising costs; the review and control of prices; the approval of new drugs; the monitoring of adverse effects and prescribing practices; the marketing to and lobbying of prescribers and dispensers; direct-to-consumer advertising; the access to drugs; the misuse, abuse and addiction within the general population; and international comparisons.

 

In addition to hearing witnesses in Ottawa, the Committee will hold meetings in the following cities:

 

WEST:	EAST:
Vancouver, BC (September 29)	Halifax, NS (October 27)
Edmonton, AB (September 30)	Quebec City, QC (October 28)
Saskatoon, SK (October 1)	Toronto, ON (October 29 and 30)
Winnipeg, MB (October 2)

 

 

Those interested in appearing before the Committee or submitting a written brief on this study should contact Mr. José Cadorette, Clerk, Standing Committee on Health, by e-mail at heal@parl.gc.ca, by phone at (613) 995-4108, or by fax at (613) 947-9670.  The deadline to submit a request to appear is September 5, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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