Canada should allow sale of foreign language-labelled children's medication in response to shortage, Conservatives say
The Conservatives are calling on the federal government to allow the importation and sale of foreign language-labelled versions of the same formulations of over-the-counter paediatric pain medication, in response to an ongoing nationwide shortage.
In a letter to Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Conservative MPs suggested the move as a way to alleviate parents' anxieties about being able to find the pain and fever medications they need if their children are sick.
"As cold and flu season is already underway, many parents are unable to locate and purchase this most basic of children’s medication," reads the letter, jointly signed by Conservative MPs Michael Barrett, Stephen Ellis, Mike Lake, and Laila Goodridge. "The need for these important products is urgent and growing by the day… The solution we have proposed will alleviate the problem rather than tasking pharmacists to compound paediatric medications from adult ones."
In the letter, the MPs note a similar step was taken in May 2020, to allow for the importation and sale of Spanish-labelled Salbutamol Aldo-Union inhalers, due to a shortage of Canadian-labelled products.
In addition to the letter, Barrett has given notice of a motion to be debated and voted on at the House of Commons Health Committee, calling for that panel of MPs to recommend the federal government move on the Conservatives' recommendation.
Speaking with reporters on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, Barrett said should the language compliance rules be changed to allow for these medications to be imported from abroad, Health Canada should also provide guidelines to doctors and pharmacists on how to administer them.
"Because while we hear that, we're just on the verge of this issue being resolved. We need to see some action, and moms and dads across the country really need the minister to take that step," Barrett said. "If we've learned any lessons over the last two and a half years, that's that we can turn on a dime if we wish to."
In August, Health Canada confirmed a summer shortage of children’s pain relief medications across the country, though in Quebec for example, drugstores have reported experiencing a lack of supply in the aftermath of the spring wave of COVID-19 infections.
The scant supply of medications, including liquid Children’s Tylenol and chewable acetaminophen tablets, being reported across Canada has been attributed to a combination of supply chain issues similar to those that affected the availability of other medications through the pandemic, as well as heightened consumer demands due to what drug makers have called an "unprecedented" Canadian cold and flu season.
The shortage has prompted children's hospitals and pharmacists to issue warnings and implore parents not to hoard, as parents go to great lengths to secure what they can.
The CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association has said that while manufacturers are ramping up their production lines to meet demands, it could still take until mid to late fall for the situation to improve.
"It is very stressful for families when their child is uncomfortable, if they have fever, if they're not feeling their best, and they can't access the medication that they know would make their child feel better. So it's causing a lot of anxiety and stress for families," said Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician and founder of Kidcrew Medical, in an interview on CTV News Channel on Wednesday.
Asked about the shortage of medications during a scrum on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, Duclos said Health Canada is "obviously concerned about the supply of this essential medicine" and officials are in touch with manufacturers, pharmacists, as well as provinces and territories about the issue. However, he could not offer any information on how long the shortages may last.
"Let’s be very clear. The situation is under relative control. No one needs to, you know, be so afraid as to rush and accumulate tons of drugs and medicines," Duclos said, when asked about whether the government should be mobilizing a pandemic-era response to access these medications.
"Our system in Canada is a very solid one, supported by appropriate regulatory and monitoring activities within the federal government… This being said, we – and I have shared that very clearly with Health Canada – we need to be in touch with provinces and territories to see how they can use their own network, because they are the ones with physicians and pharmacists that have the greatest control," said the federal health minister.
Responding to CTVNews.ca’s request for comment on the Conservatives' proposal, Duclos' office said in an email on Wednesday Health Canada “has reiterated to all manufacturers its openness to discuss mitigation options and to explore all opportunities to expedite or increase supplies, including reviewing proposals that may require regulatory flexibility or consideration of foreign supply.”
With files from CTV News' Jennifer Ferreira and Olivia Bowden
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
What Michael Cohen said on the stand in Trump hush money case
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Behind the barricades: How protesters spend their first days in a new encampment
Students in Montreal describe life in a newly erected encampment in Montreal as a whirlwind of preparations, from facing rain and a potential police crackdown to setting up a space for the exchange of ideas.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Next 48 hours will be 'extremely challenging' for B.C. wildfire crews near Fort Nelson: officials
A wildfire burning dangerously close to Fort Nelson, B.C., has grown to more than 50 square kilometres, and officials are warning that the blaze's behaviour is expected to become more volatile over the next 48 hours.
Southern Ont. man charged with attempted murder in Timmins shooting
One of two men wanted for attempted murder in Timmins has been arrested, while a warrant has been issued for a second suspect, who fled police on foot.
Local Spotlight
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
Chris Hadfield inspires youth musical in Sudbury
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
'Oh Crap!' New exhibit at Canada Science and Technology Museum explores human waste
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'