Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. We’ll just give a second to circulate that motion. A motion is on the floor. To the motion.

Question has been called. Carried.

---Carried

Mr. Nadli.

As I indicated, we will be going to opening comments for Committee Report 3-17(3). Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. To the motion. Ms. Bisaro

Thank you. So what we’re hearing here is that there is a peer review process involved, that physicians are involved and it goes to Inuvik for further review. But can the Minister indicate to the House if there is an unfavourable response from this peer review, is there an appeals process that a patient or another health care provider can follow in order to get that drug covered? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have questions for the Minister of Health and it’s going to deal with pharmaceutical and prescription drugs, and I’ll be very easy on the Minister, Mr. Speaker.

The term “off-label use” is a term used in the industry where it means a drug has been discovered to have properties of use or therapeutic use for something that was outside of its intended use. In a lot of cases, drug companies don’t go to the case of actually making proof of claim because of costs. Drug benefits such as Blue Cross, extended health will look at this synopsis and make their decision...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once in awhile a young man comes along who redefines human spirit and truly rewrites the scriptures on humanity and giving. Today I wish to inform the Members we have such a marvel who resides in the riding of Range Lake and his name is Mr. Cole Philipp.

It all started a couple of years ago when this student was in Grade 7 in Range Lake North School and he learned about “pay it forward,” which is a movement depicted in books, TV, mainstream and film. In essence, Mr. Speaker, this pay it forward program is a means to change the lives of others by doing good deeds for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s very encouraging to hear that we are working towards an appeals program, but that could take several months, maybe years, to achieve. In the interim, can the Minister make a commitment to look, on a case-by-case basis, if it is brought to the department to look at those patients who are waiting in the wings patiently to hear from this government, so that they can get their drugs approved for their therapies that are not previously being covered by our programs?

Thank you. The Minister is correct; and non-insured health benefits are used as a means for formulary design. However, that system does have some gaping holes in the process and currently, right now, if a patient was to question viability of a drug being covered, it goes to Inuvik to extended benefits for review and it is reviewed, hopefully, by an independent source or a professional source. Does the Minister have information whether or not there is a process for a review that goes outside the formulary design of intention? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s statement I talked about the truly inspirational work of one young man in Range Lake. He’s quite a difference maker. I’d like to introduce Mr. Cole Philipp; his mother, Stephanie; and his dad, Jeff, who are up in the gallery.