[Ip-health] Canadian singer calls on government to fix Bill C-9

[Richard Elliott]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
Although the story incorrectly reports the title of the bill, it is good to
see other Canadian celebrities speaking out on the matter.  Respected
retired General Lewis MacKenzie has also recently signed a petition calling
on the government to fix such problems as the "right of first refusal" in
Bill C-9.

GLOBE AND MAIL
Friday, March 12, 2004 (Review - page R2)
Cochrane urges Ottawa to think of AIDS kids

http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040312/NOTE12-=
3//?query=3DCochrane

Toronto -- Singer Tom Cochrane is calling on the federal government to
remember millions of children orphaned by the AIDS virus as it considers
the new Access to Medicines Patent and Intellectual Property Rights Act.

The legislation, known as Bill C-9, was reintroduced to the Commons last
month. "Although I understand that the large name-brand pharmaceutical
companies want the legislation to give them the 'right of first refusal' to
provide such needed medicines to these countries, I believe the long-term
benefits of improving access to medicines that can fight HIV/AIDS far
outweigh any other considerations," Cochrane said in a statement.

During a visit to Kenya last year, Cochrane wrote A Prayer for Hope,
dedicated to the victims of AIDS-related illnesses. CP


Richard Elliott
Director, Legal Research & Policy / Directeur, politiques et recherche
juridique
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 AID=
S
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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