OTTAWA – The Commons Health Committee must review the appointment of a Vice-President of Pfizer Canada to the governing council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), says New Democrat Health Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North).

“The appointment of a VP from a pharmaceutical company to the CIHR’s governing council is a huge conflict of interest,” said Wasylycia-Leis. “The federal Health Minister should have the common sense to see this and prevent it.”

The appointment risks opening the door to commercial interests providing direct input on the publicly-funded health research agenda in Canada. Wasylycia-Leis has submitted a motion to the Health Committee to review this appointment. That motion could be debated as early as today.

“Having drug companies executives deciding health research directions is like having the big bad wolf directing the three little pigs on how to build their homes,” said Wasylycia-Leis. “The Health Minister needs to reverse this appointment and prevent the drug industry from dictating Canada’s publicly-funded research directions.”