HESA Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on Health |
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Comité permanent de la santé |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
THE FEDERAL ROLE IN ADDRESSING PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IN CANADA
Ottawa, April 10, 2014 -
Ottawa, April 10, 2014 - Mr. Ben Lobb, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health, tabled the Committee’s report entitled, The Federal Role in Addressing Prescription Drug Abuse in Canada.
The Committee’s observations reflect the testimony it received from a wide range of witnesses during the course of its study, including federal government officials, the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, provincial government representatives, national health professional organizations, addiction and pain specialists, patient advocacy organizations, pharmaceutical companies and Aboriginal organizations.
Following the extensive testimony, the Committee has made 20 recommendations that identify steps and action that can be taken to address the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in Canada.
“After many meetings and discussions with my colleagues in committee, I feel that we have put together a solid report with some meaningful recommendations,” said M.P. Ben Lobb, Chair of the Health Committee. “Prescription drug abuse has become a serious problem in our country, and through this study we hope to have a positive impact in reversing this disturbing trend.”
These recommendations focus in particular on the regulation of pharmaceuticals; best practices in prevention and raising awareness; monitoring and surveillance; prevention of and treatment for prescription drug abuse in First Nations and Inuit communities; and addressing the stigma of addiction.
The Committee believes that its recommendations will help the federal government in its efforts to expand the mandate of the National Anti-Drug Strategy to address prescription drug abuse, as reflected in the government’s commitments in Budget 2014 and the 2013 Speech from the Throne.
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