The creation of the council is the result of the entry of more drugs into the market and limited public funds available to help the public understand better the new medicines. The provincial government opened membership to the 25-member council Monday. Recruitment will be until June 30, 2008.
Ontario has opened the invitation to residents from varying backgrounds and geographical location to ensure different age groups, cultures and regions of the province are sufficiently represented.
The council would meet twice a year. Its main task is to discusses urgent matters related to Ontario's drug policy and advice the provincial government. After each meeting, the council would report to the provincial Minister of Health and Long-Term Car and the executive officer of the Ontario Public Drug Programs the proceeds of the meeting.
The council was patterned after the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Citizens Council in the U.K.
George Smitherman, deputy premier and minister of health and long-term care, said in a statement, "Good governance includes opening up processes to the everyday citizen's point of view... This council reflects our government's commitment to ensure the public's opinion and values are heard."
Another pressing health issue in Ontario is the shortage of doctors. According to the Ontario Medical Association, 850,000 residents do not have a family doctor. OMA president Dr. Ken Arnold estimated the province's physician shortage to 2,500 medics. What would exacerbate the tight supply of doctors would be about 2,600 physicians are overdue for retirement.
