Two other areas of major concern to me are drugs and medical research. Prescription drugs in this country are quite costly, whether generic or brand name drugs, and I know both interests are represented here tonight. Drugs are one of the cost drivers of the health care system across this country although the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board has been effective in terms of ensuring that manufacturers' prices for patented drugs have not gone up by more than the Consumer Price Index. I have expressed concern, however, both publicly and privately, about the difficulties the pharmaceutical manufacturers have had in meeting the commitments they made for research funding. But I am sure we will soon be able to resolve these difficulties in a favourable way.
Drug usage is another substantive issue which needs our attention.
I have been informed that drug usage in this country increases approximately 14 per cent per year. That is a substantial amount, both in terms of cost and effects on people in this country. In my travels, I meet with seniors and others who are worried about the quantities of prescription medication on the market. We need your help in seeking solutions to this problem. We will want to ensure that we distribute all the available information on usage so Canadians have an opportunity to examine this important subject.