OTTAWA (November 25, 2011) – Last night, Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville- Wainwright had his first hour of debate on his Private Member’s Motion (PMM) M-274. For some time now Leon has been meeting with local groups of constituents and some individuals on matters relating to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). From those consultations and a number of meetings with the Canadian Minister of Health, departmental officials and various other stakeholders Leon drafted the following PMM:

“That, in the opinion of the House, the government should help ensure that patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and their families and caregivers, have access to the information they need to make informed decisions in the management of their condition by ensuring that:

• (a)  the MS monitoring system currently being developed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information contain specific and useful information, accessible directly to patients, on the risks, benefits, and other relevant aspects relative to undergoing surgical treatment for chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)
• (b)  departments, agencies and programs work closely with provincial and territorial counterparts, with health professionals associations, such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, and with patient groups, such as the MS Society of Canada, on the sharing of up-to-date research-based information on the nature of CCSVI and its link to MS; and
• (c)  the government’s two advisory boards dealing with MS ensure the patients’ concerns and views are well represented and heard at future meetings.”

“This is a very important issue to constituents in my riding as well as those who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis across the country,” stated Benoit. “I will continue to work with those from my riding and to be a voice in Ottawa to ensure that the wants and needs of MS sufferers and their families are heard. I look forward to the second hour of debate on M-274 in the New Year.”

Benoit pointed out that the House debate on M-274 followed the Government of Canada’s decision to fund the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies. These studies are meant to ensure that prescription drugs will be both safe and effective for those who need them, and help Canadians make informed decisions on the prescription drugs they are taking.

Benoit was also pleased to hear the Health Minister announce today that the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is ready to accept proposals for CCSVI clinical trials. In June, Health Canada agreed with CIHR’s recommendation that Ottawa should support the clinical trial. Now that criteria for the trials have been established, the government’s health research funding agency will be calling for proposals on November 30, 2011.