NOTE TO EDITORS: Minister to attend news conference on National Pharmaceuticals Strategy

Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne will join British Columbia Minister John Abbott, Nova Scotia Minister Chris d�Entremont, Prince Edward Island Minister Chester Gillan and Saskatchewan Minister Len Taylor for a news conference to release the 2006 Progress Report on the National Pharmaceuticals Strategy. The news conference will take place in Toronto, Ontario, tomorrow (Thursday, September 21) at 11:30 a.m. Newfoundland time.

Minister Osborne will be available for media interviews by telephone following the news conference. Any media outlets wishing to speak with the minister at that time should contact Tara Furlong at 729-2888 by 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 21.

The report is an update on progress made by federal, provincial and territorial governments towards a national pharmaceuticals strategy, and provides and overview of the next stage of work.

Media contact: Tara Furlong, Communications, (709) 729-2888, 727-2701, tarafurlong@gov.nl.ca

2006 09 20                                  4:35 p.m.