- OTTAWA (CP) --The Health Protection Branch is once again the centre
of controversy, with six of its scientists charging they have been pressured
to approve drugs of questionable safety.
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- In what is believed to one of the first
cases of its kind in Canada, the Professional Institute of the Public Service
of Canada -- the union representing the scientists -- has taken the complaints
of management interference before the Public Service Staff Relations Board.
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- Activists from the Sierra Club and the
Council of Canadians held a news conference Wednesday to publicize the
case, since the scientists are under Health Department orders not to talk
to the media.
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- "The department scientists are forced
to approve drugs not safe for animal and human consumption," said
Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians."This is the corporatization
of the government of Canada's Health Protection Branch."
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- She called for a public investigation
of the branch, saying drug companies now provide 70 per cent of its financing
and have too much influence over the drug-approval process.
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- Earlier this month the Canadian Medical
Association Journal carried an article saying secrecy at the Health Protection
Branch is raising suspicions about the influence drug companies have over
drug approvals.
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- In 1996, Michele Brill-Edwards resigned
from her job as a drug reviewer at the branch because of what she considered
to be undue industry influence over the drug approval process.
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- Government lawyers failed Wednesday to
get the grievances of the six scientists tossed out for lack of evidence.
It's expected the Public Service Staff Relations Board will release a decision
next month.
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- Asked about the alleged gag order placed
on the scientists, Robert Joubert of the Health Protection Branch said
it is normal policy that only designated officials speak for the Health
Department.
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- Many of the scientists' concerns centre
on bovine growth hormone (BGH), a genetically engineered drug manufactured
by Monsanto which increases milk production in dairy cattle.
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- The drug has been under review for some
10 years and it has become a symbol in a seemingly endless tug-of-war between
biotechnology companies seeking markets for their products and skeptical
consumers groups.
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- An internal document obtained by the
Sierra Club under Access to Information legislation shows BGH produced
cysts in the thyroid of male rats when administered at high dosage.
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- Two years ago Health Department officials
said the consumption of milk or meat from cattle treated with BGH poses
no risk to human health, although they were not sure about the safety for
animals.
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- Joel Weiner, a spokesman for the Health
Protection Branch, said Wednesday that position has shifted due to new
scientific evidence. The question of human safety is now considered open,
he said.
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