[Ip-health] CTV.ca: Martin backs plan for generic AIDS drugs (Wed Oct 1, 2003)

[Richard Elliott]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]

Martin backs plan for generic AIDS drugs
Canadian Press

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1065010534879_101///?hu=
b=3DHealth
(with photo)
Updated Wed, Oct 1, 2003 @ 8:15 AM ET

OTTAWA =AD The federal government will proceed full-steam ahead in allowing
generic drug-makers to supply cheap medicine to AIDS-ravaged countries,
Paul Martin indicated Tuesday.

The prime minister-in-waiting will follow through with current plans to
excuse poor countries from patent rules, as permitted under a new
international agreement. Martin said there's no time to waste, with the
AIDS scourge decimating populations in sub-Saharan Africa and a handful of
other developing countries.

"These drugs must be provided to these countries - and as quickly as
possible and at as low a cost as possible," Martin said.

"(It) is not only something that has to be fulfilled, it is something
Canada should fulfil."

Martin's endorsement of proposed patent changes comes as government
officials wait anxiously for policy direction from the next head of
government.

Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Industry Minister Allan Rock have
already been exploring ways to amend Canadian law in accordance with a
recent World Trade Organization deal.

The Aug. 30 agreement creates a legal loophole that allows the most
desperate countries to override patents on expensive drugs and order
cheaper copies from generic manufacturers, with patent holders receiving a
small payment.

AIDS drugs are a particular concern because they are far too expensive for
patients in Africa, where the disease rates are catastrophic.

The average AIDS patient in the Western world consumes a pharmaceutical
cocktail that costs thousands of dollars each year - far beyond the reach
of poor countries.

Generic versions of those drugs would be a fraction of the cost.

A handful of government departments are studying ways to amend Canada's
complex web of regulatory guidelines.
Canada's patent laws prohibit drug producers from copying patented
medicines for 20 years, except for national distribution in emergencies.

One generic drug advocate immediately praised Martin's announcement.

"Mr. Martin's support is obviously a great thing," said Jim Keon, president
of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association.

Big pharmaceutical companies had been hoping Martin would kill the current
initiative.

Larger companies fear the global market would be flooded with generic drugs
well before their 20-year patents expired. Some warned it would become
harder to recoup the research costs associated with developing original dru=
gs.

But they took a diplomatic tone Tuesday.

"The international pharmaceutical industry is currently assessing how
intellectual property will be affected by the application of the WTO
decision," said Jacques Lefebvre, president of the Canadian Research Based
Pharmaceuticals group.

Executives have also argued that deregulating the Canadian industry will
have minimal impact on the sick. They say countries like India can produce
generic pills much cheaper than Canada.

Keon admitted Canada's involvement might not spark an immediate surge in
generic drugs exported to poor countries. But he scoffed at suggestions the
move will hurt big pharmaceutical companies.

"We'd be exporting to countries that can't afford them," he said. "(Patent
companies') sales won't go down. They're not making any in these places as
it stands."


Richard Elliott
Director, Policy & Research / Directeur, politiques et recherche
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network / R=E9seau juridique canadien VIH/sida
890 Yonge Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Canada M4W 3P4
Tel : +1 (416) 595-1666 Fax +1 (416) 595-0094
E-mail: relliott@aidslaw.ca Web: www.aidslaw.ca

The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network is a partner organisation of the
AIDS Law Project of South Africa, and a non-governmental organization in
Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the
United Nations. //
Le R=E9seau juridique canadien VIH/sida est un organisme partenaire du AIDS
Law Project
de l'Afrique du Sud et ONG dot=E9 de statut consultatif sp=E9cial aupr=E8s =
du
Conseil =E9conomique
et social des Nations Unies.

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