The current ban on direct-to-consumer drug advertising must be upheld to protect patients and workers, says a broad coalition of unions and citizen groups granted intervener status on a Charter challenge. The coalition — which includes the Canadian Federa-tion of Nurses Unions, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Canadian Health Coalition, Women and Health Protection, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, the Society for Diabetic Rights, and the Medical Reform Group — was recently granted intervener status by an Ontario Superior Court judge in an upcoming Charter challenge case between CanWest MediaWorks, Inc. and the Attorney General of Canada. CanWest has mounted a Charter challenge to the statutory prohibition on direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs. The coalition intends to bring evidence on the impact of DTCA on women and on health benefit costs.

"The ban on DTCA of pharmaceuticals is key to health protection and the sustainability of public and private health insurance programs," says Linda Silas, RN, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. "Canadians are already exposed to DTCA as the current ban is not properly enforced," notes Anne Rochon Ford of Women and Health Protection. "We need to uphold the ban and strengthen enforcement if we are to protect the sustainability of our health system, and the health of Canadians — particularly young women who are often the targets of ad campaigns."

The case will be heard in the coming months.

For more information, contact:
Steven Shrybman, Sack, Goldblatt, Mitchell, 416-591-7333
Pamela Foster, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, 613-255-8558