My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. In 2014, the federal government passed Vanessa’s Law, which introduced the most profound and important changes to the Food and Drugs Act since it was introduced more than 50 years ago. Of course, Vanessa’s Law is named in honour of Vanessa Young, who was 15 years old when she died tragically of a heart attack after taking a drug prescribed by her doctor.

Three years after Parliament passed this legislation without a dissenting vote, there is still no requirement in place for health care institutions to report adverse drug reactions. When will the government implement mandatory reporting of serious adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents by health care institutions?

Hon. Peter Harder (Government Representative in the Senate): Again, I thank the honourable senator for her question and obviously her long-time devotion to this matter. I will make inquiries and get back as soon as possible.

Senator Seidman: Thank you very much for that answer.

Honourable senators will recall that when I brought forward this legislation three years ago in this place, it was our intent to require the reporting of all serious drug reactions. However, Health Canada’s most recent communication on this matter proposes to regulate only acute care hospitals and to require them to report only unexpected adverse reactions to prescription drugs.

Can the Leader of the Government in the Senate assure Canadians that the government will respect the spirit and the letter of Vanessa’s Law by ensuring that all serious drug reactions are reported?

Senator Harder: Again, I thank the honourable senator for her supplementary. Let me simply assure her that the government takes seriously compliance with the law of Canada, and with respect to the specific question raised, I will make sure that is part of the inquiry made.