[Ip-health] Government website on Canadian law on compulsory licensing of pharmaceuticals for export

[Richard Elliott]

Website on "Canada's Access to Medicines Regime"
http://camr-rcam.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html


News Release
2006-64
July 28, 2006
For immediate release
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2006/2006_64_e.html

Government of Canada Launches New Web site on Access to Medicines for
Developing Nations

OTTAWA - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today welcomed th=
e
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 expensiv=
e
medicines urgently needed to treat HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and othe=
r
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 Acces=
s
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

-30-
________________________________________
Media Enquiries:

Paul Duchesne
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807

Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Public Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
=A0

__________________________________
Richard Elliott
Deputy Director
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
1240 Bay Street, Suite 600
Toronto, Ontario  M5R 2A7
Telephone: +1 416 595-1666 ext. 229
Fax: +1 416 595-0094
Website: www.aidslaw.ca
=A0
Directeur adjoint
R=E9seau juridique canadien VIH/sida
1240, rue Bay, bureau 600
Toronto (Ontario)  M5R 2A7
T=E9l=E9phone=A0: +1 416 595-1666 (poste 229)
T=E9l=E9copieur=A0: +1 416 595-0094
Site web=A0: www.aidslaw.ca