Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology

Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 12, 2010
(13)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:17 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Cordy, Dyck, Eaton, Martin, Merchant, Ogilvie, Raine and Seidman (9).

In attendance: Havi Echenberg and Odette Madore, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, the committee began its study on Health Canada's Proposal to Parliament for User Fees and Service Standards for Human Drugs and Medical Devices Programs.

WITNESSES:

Health Canada:

Meena Ballantyne, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Products and Food Branch;

Dr. Supriya Sharma, Director General, Therapeutic Products Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch;

Étienne Ouimette, Acting Director, Strategic Horizontal Policy Division.

The deputy chair made a statement.

Ms. Ballantyne made a statement and, together with Dr. Sharma and Mr. Ouimette, answered questions.

At 5:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 13, 2010
(14)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 10:30 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Champagne, P.C., Cordy, Dyck, Eaton, Greene, Mahovlich, Merchant, Ogilvie, Plett, Raine and Seidman (11).

In attendance: Havi Echenberg and Odette Madore, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, the committee continued its study on Health Canada's Proposal to Parliament for User Fees and Service Standards for Human Drugs and Medical Devices Programs.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association:

Jody Cox, Director, Federal Government Relations;

John Hems, Chair, Scientific Affairs Committee.

Consumer Health Products Canada:

Gerry Harrington, Director of Public Affairs;

Robert White, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs.

MEDEC:

Klaus Stitz, Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs.

Rx&D:

Russell Williams, President;

Loretta Del Bosco, Vice-Chair, Regulatory Standing Committee.

The deputy chair made a statement.

Ms. Cox, Mr. Hems, Mr. Stitz, Mr. Harrington and Mr. Williams each made a statement and, together with Mr. White and Ms. Del Bosco, answered questions.

At 11:32 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:37 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded in camera to discuss a draft report.

It was moved:

That the committee report to the Senate recommending the approval of Health Canada's Proposal to Parliament for User Fees and Service Standards for Human Drugs and Medical Devices Programs.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was agreed that the committee not append observations to its report.

It was agreed:

That the deputy chair be authorized to prepare a draft letter for approval by committee members to the President of the Treasury Board outlining the committee's concerns that revenues raised through the proposed increased user fees not be offset by a reduction in funding to the department from the consolidated revenue fund.

At 12:08 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Jessica Richardson

Clerk of the Committee