Question Period Notes
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In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
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• The Interim Order Respecting Drug Shortages (Safeguarding the Drug Supply) was made on November 27, 2020. This interim order introduced new measures to help prevent bulk importation programs, such as the one established by the U.S., from causing or exacerbating a drug shortage in Canada.
• These provisions were made permanent through the Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Concerning Drugs and Medical Devices (Shortages) and came into force upon the expiry of the interim order on November 27, 2021.
• COVID-19 created an increased demand for drugs used in supporting patients with the disease, against the backdrop of multiple global supply chain challenges. Drug shortages, particularly in the context of COVID-19 critical drugs, could put the health of Canadians at risk.
• Working with provinces, territories and other partners, Health Canada established a COVID-19 Critical Drug Reserve, which consists of up to a six-month supply of drugs used to support patients with COVID-19.
• Drug shortages pose a risk to the health of Canadians. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in the drug supply chain that impacted supplies of drugs required to treat patients with COVID-19 and other health conditions.
• The need for vigilance in maintaining the national drug supply continues. Health Canada is continuing its surveillance activities and engagement with key supply chain players to mitigate impacts, and move towards prevention of, drug shortages where possible.
• The Janssen vaccines received on April 28 and intended for use in Canada contained an ingredient that was manufactured at the Emergent site in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. On June 11, 2021, Health Canada issued a statement to communicate that it concluded its assessment of the quality of the Janssen vaccines shipped to Canada and that due to remaining uncertainties respecting their quality, it would not be releasing the vaccines. In addition, Health Canada communicated that it would not accept any product or ingredients made at this site until it could conduct an inspection and is satisfied with the site’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) status.
• In New Brunswick (NB), Regulation 84-20 of the NB Medical Services Payment Act limits coverage of surgical abortion services to approved hospitals (three NB hospitals currently offer the service – two in Moncton and one in Bathurst). This means that individuals who receive these services at Clinic 554 in Fredericton are required to pay out-of-pocket. Patient charges for abortion services received in private clinics are considered user charges under the Canada Health Act. This regulation also poses concerns under the comprehensiveness and accessibility criteria of the Canada Health Act. Evidence indicates that some abortion clinics in Ontario (ON) are also charging patients to access insured services.
• Overview of federal action on key Canada Health Act compliance issues.
• Home care services help people receive needed care at home, rather than in a hospital or long-term care facility, and to live as independently as possible in the community. Home care usually includes professional services at no cost to the client (e.g., physiotherapy, nursing, and occupational therapy) and home support/personal care (e.g., personal hygiene, dressing, feeding, and toileting), which is income-tested in most PTs.
• There is evidence that COVID-19 had a negative impact on access to home care services during the pandemic, including both professional services and home support/personal care. This situation increased social isolation of seniors and led to a higher burden for family caregivers.
• Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has been working collaboratively with provinces and territories to protect vulnerable Canadians in long-term care. The federal government has responded in a number of ways, including through key investments made to support residents and staff.
• Work is underway to implement a number of federal commitments as a result of new legislation on medical assistance in dying that passed in March 2021. The new law removes the eligibility requirement for a person’s natural death to be reasonably foreseeable and includes additional safeguards for these new types of requests. The law also mandates a Parliamentary Review of the legislation and an independent review of MAID for persons suffering from mental illness.
• Some dental care stakeholders and the New Democratic Party have called for a universal dental care program.