Thank you, Madam Chair. Although what we have today appears to be a straightforward amendment to finally allow for the establishment of a prescription monitoring program, it is important to fundamentally understand exactly why we are doing this, what we intend to do with the monitoring program, what will be intended
oversight, what is our role nationally, and finally, what changes should we expect with prescribing and dispensing practices throughout the Northwest Territories.
Now, admittedly, if one was following the evolution of this bill, it could be argued, and I believe it was presented clearly in this House, that the Minister already had the power under the Pharmacy Act in conjunction with provisions under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act of the Northwest Territories and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act of Canada to legally direct, use, disclose personal information to this government for statistical purposes just as long as this information did not relate to an identifiable person. For a complete summation of this defence, I would reference replies to the opening address on February 26, 2014, in support.
My purpose today is not to split hairs with the Minister or the department or have any debate on privacy laws in general. What is of importance is that we finally welcome this amendment to the Pharmacy Act so we can bring what is of territorial and national importance, which is responding to the prescription drug abuse in the Northwest Territories or what I’ve referred on many occasions as a sleeping giant of all addictions.
This amendment will finally allow this government a more enhanced legislative framework in addressing prescription drug abuse in general and share in its responsibility when nationally called into action. It is paramount when dealing with addictions the government must be armed with the right information in order to understand the issues and, in turn, positively impact its victims.
This amendment today will finally set the stage of a proper baseline analysis and empirically lead us into the direction of prevention and treatment, monitoring and collective actions.
It is of importance now more than ever we must protect all Northerners from the potential misuse of prescription medications and we must tackle head- on this sleeping giant of addiction and its destructive and fatal power.
Lastly, it is of national importance that we also translate the momentum generated today into action and support our National Anti-Drug Strategy in responding to Canada’s prescription drug crisis.
Again, congratulations to the Minister and the department for listening to the concern of Members, the coroner’s office and the many Northerners in our health field.