MS therapy clinical trials get federal OK
MS therapy clinical trials get federal OK
There is now enough evidence to proceed with clinical trials for the controversial vein-opening therapy for multiple sclerosis known as the Zamboni procedure, the federal government says…NDP health critic Libby Davies said the announcement is a "step forward" but agreed that it should have been made months ago. "It's taken the government an incredibly long time to even get to this point," she said. Davies also said this won't put an end to the political pressure MPs in Ottawa have been under to help patients access the treatment. She said the health minister should disclose all relevant information related to this decision, and provide more details about how the clinical trials are going to operate, and how much money will be dedicated to them.
The original article, MS therapy clinical trials get federal OK was published on June 29, 2011 in CBC News. Author(s): Meagan Fitzpatrick
Ottawa to fund clinical trials for controversial MS treatment – Libby Davies
Ottawa to fund clinical trials for controversial MS treatment
The federal government is looking to put the debate over a controversial multiple sclerosis treatment to rest once and for all. Faced with sharply divided opinions among medical experts and intense lobbying efforts from politicians and patients – many of whom have gone abroad for the treatment – Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced Wednesday that the government will fund clinical trials of a vein-widening procedure that’s being used to treat the symptoms of MS…”I think there is some disappointment that it’s taken the government so long to move on this,” said Libby Davies, NDP health critic.
The original article, Ottawa to fund clinical trials for controversial MS treatment was published on June 29, 2011 in The Globe and Mail. Author(s): Carly Weeks
COMMUNITY LINKS BULLETIN - July to August 2011
Libby defends Canada Post workers' rights in Parliament
Libby defends Canada Post workers' rights in Parliament
Libby defends Canada Post workers' rights in Parliament
Libby defends Canada Post workers' rights in Parliament
Libby defends Canada Post workers' rights in Parliament
Libby asks the Health Minister for a long-term care strategy
Libby asks the Health Minister for a long-term care strategy
Ms. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Beauharnois—Salaberry, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is once again telling us that the expiry of the health accord in 2014 is still a long way away and that it would be useless to start working on it now; however, the Wait Time Alliance’s report says the exact opposite. The chair of the alliance,
Dr. Lorne Bellan, has criticized the excessive amount of time people have to wait before receiving care. The longest wait times are here in Ottawa.
Will the Prime Minister wait until 2014 before taking action?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, in addition to over 30% increases to transfer payments made to the provinces and territories for the delivery of health care, our government also provided additional funding, about $1 billion, for the reduction of wait times in their chosen areas. We continue to work collaboratively with the provinces and the territories to roll out the present health accord and to continue to reduce wait times, while respecting the fact that health care is an area of provincial jurisdiction.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, blaming the provinces is no answer. This is a joint responsibility. There is no question that the current system is costly and inefficient.
Our public health care system must move forward now to fit today’s model of community care. We cannot wait until 2014. We need a long-term care strategy to free up hospital beds and support those with chronic health concerns.
How long do we have to wait before the government takes meaningful action to address these critical shortages?