GROUPS URGE CANADA TO REVIEW GENERIC DRUG COMMITMENT

The groups Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network have said they are encouraged by Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement's statement at the International AIDS Conference that the government will review the Jean Chretien Pledge to Africa.

This law, passed two years ago, is intended to allow Canadian drugmakers to produce and export generic drugs to developing countries. However, to date not a single drug has left Canada, according to MSF.

The groups are urging the Canadian government to uphold their commitment and review the legislation immediately. There is concern that the urgency of improving the Canadian legislation will be lost after the International AIDS Conference has ended.