e-4374 (Business and trade)
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the Government of Canada
- Responding to a global pandemic in a way that minimizes both the loss of life and the potential emergence of new, more contagious and deadly variants requires that as many people around the world have access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutic as quickly and safely as possible;
- From the early days of the pandemic, pharmaceutical and device manufacturers have prioritized profits over saving lives by restricting supply in low and middle-income countries, leaving large numbers untreated;
- Under Canada's Access to Medicines Regime, Canadian manufacturers can apply for compulsory licences to produce and export lower-cost versions of life-saving products to low-and middle-income countries that lack the manufacturing capacity to respond to public health emergencies;
- The first step in granting a compulsory licence is to have the requisite product added to Schedule 1 of the Patent Act;
- In 2005, during the global H5N1 Bird Flu outbreak, Biolyse Pharma, after "seven months" of lobbying, had Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) added to Schedule 1 of the Patent Act; and
- The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) report recommended the Government improve its communication and administration related to CAMR.
- Open for signature
- March 29, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- June 27, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. (EDT)