Ottawa challenged to release internal estimates of Europe free trade drug costs

OTTAWA – Trade Minister Ed Fast says he won’t release internal government documents that may predict potential soaring drug costs for Canadians under the free trade agreement with Europe.

The NDP challenged the minister to release the documents during testimony today before the House of Commons trade committee.

NDP trade critic Don Davies says Canadians have a right to this information so they can evaluate the deal, which was agreed to in principle by Canada and the EU last month.

Fast says the government will not provide the public with information that is “speculative.”

He says the government is confident it can mitigate the rising costs of drugs to Canadians, echoing past comments by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Ottawa would consider compensation for the provinces.

A report last month by two university researchers estimated the cost to Canadians from delaying introduction of cheaper generic medicines will likely range between $800 million and $1.65 billion, once the patents on new drugs expire starting in 2023.