[Ip-health] Canadian AIDS Society/Canadian Treatment Action Council joint statement

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.newswire.ca/releases/September2003/26/c5268.html


      National AIDS Organizations Salute Government of Canada Federal
      Government to Amend the Patent Act

    OTTAWA, Sept. 26 /CNW/ -  The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) and the
Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) salute the Government of Canada for
its quick response to Stephen Lewis', the United Nations special AIDS envoy,
call for Canada to take leadership on the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In
particular, CAS and CTAC welcome the initiative announced by Industry Minister
Allan Rock and International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew to amend the
current Patent legislation to allow Canadian generic-pharmaceutical companies
to produce some patent-protected drugs and export them to developing
countries.
    "This announcement is welcome news for the national and global AIDS
movement," said Paul Lapierre, Executive Director of CAS. "There is an urgent
need for cheap drugs to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in developing countries
around the world." This announcement comes on the heels of the World Trade
Organization General Council's decision to relax international rules of patent
protection. "CAS and CTAC applaud the Government of Canada for taking such an
important step in such a short period of time. We call on all the parties in
the House of Commons to join the international fight against HIV/AIDS by
adopting the proposed amendments," said Lapierre.
    "In addition to the government's ethical duty to act in the public
interest, Canada has undertaken legal obligations under international human
rights law to take steps to ensure full realization of the human right to
health," added Lapierre.
    In 2001, Canada joined other countries by signing the UNGASS Declaration
of Commitment, therefore, pledging to take action on the global HIV/AIDS
crisis. "We are pleased with the government's quick response," said Louise
Binder, Chair of the Canadian Treatment Action Council. "Earlier this week,
the Prime Minister, in his speech to the high-level interactive panel on
HIV/AIDS at the United Nations, reinstated Canada's commitment to take action,
including access to affordable and effective treatment to all those who need
it."
    "It is important that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to
treatment," said Binder. "The reality is AIDS is fatal. Presently, drug costs
for treating HIV/AIDS are very high. Access to affordable treatment will
enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS," concluded
Binder.
    CAS and CTAC are also supportive of Foreign Affairs Minister Bill
Graham's statement, as reported in today's Globe and Mail, that he will name a
special envoy to coordinate the government's international response to
HIV/AIDS.
    According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS),
AIDS claimed the lives of 3.1 million people in 2002, and an estimated 5
million people acquired HIV in 2002. There are currently an estimated 42
million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, over 95% of whom live in
developing countries.
    The CAS is a coalition of 115 community-based AIDS organizations across
Canada. The CAS mandate is to speak as a national voice and act as a forum for
a community-based response to HIV infection, as well as to advocate for
persons so affected.
    The CTAC is a national organization directed by people living with
HIV/AIDS to support access to treatments for HIV/AIDS.




-30-

For further information: Louise Binder, Canadian Treatment Action
Council, Cell: (416) 457-3179; Mark Creighan, Canadian AIDS Society Tel.:
(613) 230-3580 ext. 122 or Cell (613) 724-9540