OTTAWA - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today welcomed the launch of a Web site and CD-ROM providing information on Canada's Access to Medicines Regime. The Regime allows lower-cost versions of patent-protected drugs to be exported to eligible countries that have little or no pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. The Web site and CD-ROM are designed to encourage generic drug manufacturers and eligible importing countries to use the Regime.
"The Government of Canada is committed to improving access to less expensive medicines urgently needed to treat HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases in developing and least-developed countries," Minister Clement said.
"This program can help developing countries respond to their public health problems by providing information about how the system works to eligible countries, as well as manufacturers."
On August 30, 2003, the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed to waive certain obligations in the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights that were felt to be a barrier to an effective response to public health problems, particularly in developing or least-developed countries. These waivers allow exporting nations to issue compulsory licences to manufacturers wishing to make, sell and export products that are still under domestic patent protection.
To implement this decision, the Government of Canada created Canada's Access to Medicines Regime. It is an interdepartmental initiative involving Health Canada, Industry Canada, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, the Canadian International Development Agency, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Regime became operational in May 2005.
The Canada's Access to Medicines Regime Web site and CD-ROM offer information on eligibility, requirements and procedures for importing countries; requirements, application process and forms for companies; the role of non-governmental organizations; and key documents. To obtain a copy of the CD-ROM version, please contact the Bureau of Policy, Sciences and International Programs at 613-948-4623 or by e-mail at bpsip_info_bpspi@hc-sc.gc.ca
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Health Canada
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