A Statement from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, in support of MP Dean Allison's Motion M-230

Statement
April 19, 2013

OTTAWA - As Minister of Health, I am pleased to convey our government's support for the motion introduced in the House of Commons by Member of Parliament Dean Allison, Motion 230, which seeks to raise awareness of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. Today, Motion 230 is being debated for the first time. The Government of Canada acknowledges that anaphylaxis is a serious condition.

These life threatening, severe allergic reactions occur when the body's immune system reacts to a particular allergen or irritant. While foods are the most common cause of anaphylaxis and account for most of the cases in children, drugs and antibiotics are more likely to cause a reaction in adults. As MP Allison's motion reminds us, for many with these severe allergies, avoiding the source of the allergy is the only way to protect against severe reactions.

As a result, the government has taken action to raise awareness of allergens in both food and drugs. Our commitment in the area of anaphylaxis and allergies is demonstrated through a variety of activities and actions to help those affected by allergies maintain a high quality of life, which include:

• Implementing new regulations in 2012 aimed at improving food labelling information for those living with food allergies or intolerances;
• Amending regulations in 2012 to require non-medicinal ingredients be listed on the outer label of non-prescription drug products;
• Generating educational materials and advisories for the public in the area of anaphylaxis and allergies; and
• Investing in research to help fill the knowledge gap and inform policy development relating to anaphylaxis and allergies.

In addition, a wide range of health and safety information is available on the Government of Canada's "Healthy Canadians" website, including information concerning allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, and how to minimize risks. I encourage all Canadians to make regular use of the website to stay informed about keeping our families healthy and safe.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada