| GENERAL INFORMATION
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| KEYWORDS
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Marine medical certificate, medication, biological modifier
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| FILE NO.
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MA-0530-21
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| SECTOR (Marine or Aviation)
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Marine
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| SPECIFIC JOB
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Unknown
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| DIAGNOSIS (Primary, Secondary, etc.)
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Ulcerative colitis
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| REVIEW
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| DATE OF DETERMINATION
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November 14, 2019
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| MEMBER
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Dr. Peter Seviour
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| DETERMINATION
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Minister’s decision is confirmed.
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| REASONS FOR THE DETERMINATION
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Refusal to issue an unrestricted marine medical certificate
(MMC) — The Minister of Transport’s position was that the applicant’s use of a biological modifier, Simponi, puts him at increased risk of infections given the associated reduction in his immune status. While the evidence presented speaks to the stability of his colitis, the main issue, from Transport Canada’s viewpoint, is the medication being used to achieve this stability. In their view, this makes him ineligible to hold an unrestricted MMC, but fit for an MMC with the limitation of “Limited, Contiguous Waters Voyage”, consistent with accepted international guidelines related to medication. The Minister’s representative also provided evidence supporting the risks associated with the use of biological modifiers, and it was established that the issuance of a restricted MMC was consistent with the criteria set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, which incorporate the International Labour Organization/ International Maritime Organization guidelines as they relate to the applicant’s diagnosis and the medication that he is taking. The member concludes that the Minister’s decision was justified.
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| APPEAL
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| DATE OF DECISION
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| MEMBERS
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| DECISION
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| REASONS FOR THE DECISION
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| OTHER/COMMENTS
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