Updates from Libby
Health Canada’s medical marijuana privacy breach slammed
Health Canada’s medical marijuana privacy breach slammed
The dad was just one of 40,000 people across Canada who received letters from Health Canada that identified they were part of the medical marijuana program. Deputy Health Minister George Da Pont has apologized for the privacy breach, writing that the department deeply regrets the administrative error…A spokesperson for the privacy commissioner said Thursday an investigation was underway. As of Friday morning the privacy commissioner had received 40 formal complaints about the letters. NDP health critic Libby Davies said it was shocking the envelopes went out in the general mail with the program identified. “It is a terrible breach of people’s privacy. I’m shocked,” Davies said. Davies said she doesn’t blame people for being skeptical about the government’s explanation it was an administrative error. “I am certainly going to pursue it. I want to find out how it happened. This is sensitive information for a lot of people,” she said.
The original article, Health Canada's medical marijuana privacy breach slammed was published on November 22, 2013 in The London Free Press. Author(s): John Miner
NDP CALLS FOR MANDATORY DISCLOSURE OF DRUG SHORTAGES
NDP CALLS FOR MANDATORY DISCLOSURE OF DRUG SHORTAGES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2013
OTTAWA —Drug shortages have become a major problem in Canada – and costly headache for provinces – but an NDP MP is proposing a bill that will address this problem.
“This legislation can provide health professionals with the crucial notification they need to plan treatment for their patients during drug shortages,” said NDP MP Djaouida Sellah (Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert).
“We cannot afford to stop a given medication overnight because of an unexpected drug shortage. Whether it’s medication for epilepsy, cancer treatment, or pain management, health professionals need time to plan a safe transition.”
Many health experts support the NDP’s initiative, including the College of Physicians – who have been recommending the government require drug companies to inform Health Canada of drug shortages and, according to the College, “are heartened to see our recommendations to the federal government reflected in Bill C-523.”
“Too often the health and treatment of Canadians is jeopardized by sudden unforeseen drug shortages,” said Sellah. “Sadly, the federal government has been unwilling to require mandatory disclosure from industry. My bill will address this gap.”
Talking about drugs, Part One
In Question Period, Libby Davies questions the government about restricting access to heroin-assisted treatment for a group of addicts (and makes a reference to Rob Ford). Read the exchange here.
NDP CALLS FOR MANDATORY DISCLOSURE OF DRUG SHORTAGES
Libby urges the Minister to allow persons with addictions access to treatment
Libby urges the Minister to allow persons with addictions access to treatment
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House of Commons
HANSARD
November 18, 2013
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health made a heartless decision to prevent those who need access to medicalized opiates from having it.
She ignored her own experts and she ignored those who provide treatment when she changed the special access program.
Is it too much to ask of the minister to put ideology aside and support a method of treatment that is scientifically proven to be effective?
Ms. Eve Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, our policy is to take heroin out of the hands of addicts, not put it in their arms. We do support drug treatment programs that work to end drug use in a safe way, so that those who are struggling with addiction can recover and maintain a drug-free life. Drug treatment should be focused on ending drug use and recovering into a drug-free life.
Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, it is ironic that the only person suffering from addiction that the Conservatives seem to have compassion for is the mayor of Toronto.
It is inexplicable that the minister went against her own department, attacking the experts. She chose to recklessly put lives at risk. No wonder her decision is now facing a court challenge.
Did the minister not learn anything from the Supreme Court decision on InSite? Will she reconsider providing this needed treatment?
Ms. Eve Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, under the Special Access Program, Health Canada can approve emergency access to certain medicines for Canadians with rare diseases or terminal illness. This program was not intended as a way to give illicit drugs to addicts. Our government’s position against the use of dangerous and addictive drugs is clear. To keep dangerous drugs like heroin out of Canadian communities, our government has taken action to protect the integrity of the Special Access Program and closed that loophole. I will continue to protect Canadian families and continue in investing in drug prevention programs for individuals and children.