HEALTH CANADA MUZZLING SCIENTISTS

Doctors scolded for public criticism

OTTAWA - Health Canada is trying to muzzle two of its scientists who
publicly accused the department of pressuring them to approve unsafe drugs.

Dr. Andre Lachance, director of the Bureau of Veterinary Drugs, has
reprimanded Dr. Shiv Chopra and Dr. Margaret Haydon after the two appeared
on the television program Canada AM last month and criticized the department.

"Your decision to pursue your outstanding complaints in a public forum is,
in my view, in conflict with your obligations as public servant," Lachance
said in a June 29 letter to Chopra.

Lachance, who has also asked Haydon to explain her appearance on the
television program, said the two drug reviewers should have used appropriate
"channels" within the department to raise their concerns.

"As a public servant fulfilling responsibilities of a drug evaluator in the
Bureau of Veterinary Drugs, you have clearly failed to meet your duty of
loyalty to your employer and have disregarded management's instructions,"
Lachance said.

"Therefore, I have concluded that you seriously misconducted yourself," he
added.

In fact, Chopra and Haydon both followed public service protocol by filing
grievances against Health Canada management.

The scientists accused their managers of approving growth hormones and other
veterinary drugs over their objections, without adequate reviews.

Health Canada managers are concerned the scientists are unduly alarming the
public and are airing debate that should be kept within the department, said
Bob Joubert, director of human resources.

Both Haydon and Chopra have said they believe they have a duty to the public
to speak out against what they consider serious safety issues.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett