Letter to Editor regarding the article "Le meurtrier silence conservateur" (L'actualité - April 27, 2012)

2012-61
May 3, 2012
For immediate release

OTTAWA - I am writing to correct your April 27, 2012 article Le meurtrier silence conservateur by Carole Beaulieu

In the article, Ms Beaulieu asserts that the federal government has done nothing to help patients and health care professionals cope with the shortage of drugs manufactured by Sandoz Canada.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Health Canada has used every tool at its disposal to meet the needs of patients by supporting the search for replacement supply.  To date, Health Canada has approved 19 submissions for replacement supplies and 172 requests for emergency access to needed drugs.  

There are other companies in Canada that have approval to produce drugs that are currently in shortage.  Due to purchasing decisions by provincial and territorial governments, Sandoz has become almost the exclusive provider of these drugs.  I am pleased to note that drugs purchasers are now beginning to explore buying critical drugs from multiple licensed suppliers.

In any drug shortage situation there is no substitute for information. Health professionals and patients need as much advance notice of shortages as possible so they have time to shift treatments if necessary. That is why encouraging drug makers to be more transparent on actual and potential drug shortages has been one of my top priorities.  As a result of my work with health professionals and industry associations, there are now public websites dedicated to reporting such information. Drug makers have agreed to have a one-stop drug shortage information web site up and running this year.

Canadians can be assured that Health Canada will continue to play its part by authorizing alternative sources of supply during the Sandoz shortage and working with our partners to find longer term solutions that help cushion patients against possible future shortages.

Sincerely,

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health

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