2009-03
January 14, 2009
For immediate release
TORONTO - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced that the Government of Canada is continuing to support the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN), first announced in July 2008.
"Canadians can be confident that this Government is taking the steps necessary to ensure that our drug safety system remains one of the best in the world," said Minister Aglukkaq. "The Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network complements Canada's rigorous pre-testing of new drugs by studying how Canadians respond over time to already-approved drugs. The results will help in decision-making and enhance overall consumer safety."
The Network will enable more national research on the safety and effectiveness of drugs used by Canadians. It will:
- link researchers through a new virtual network;
- help to co-ordinate a national agenda of research based on priorities identified by decision-makers;
- fund independent research on the safety and effectiveness of drugs in the marketplace; and,
- assess the risks and benefits of drug products that are on the market.
Health Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are developing the Network, together with stakeholders. The coordinating office will be established within CIHR, a federal funding agency for health research.
The Network is part of the broader Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan that the Government introduced in December 2007 to assure Canadians that the food on their dinner table, the toys they buy for their children, and the medicines on which they rely are safe.
Today's commitment of a further $31 million over four years brings the total federal investment for this initiative to $32 million over the first five years and $10 million per year thereafter.
This initiative complements other Health Canada programs to strengthen post-market surveillance of health products, including Canada Vigilance and MedEffect TM Canada.
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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Josée Bellemare
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
