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<title>CANADA WELCOMES ADOPTION OF WTO RULING </title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>April 7, 2000 <em>(7:00 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 69 </strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA WELCOMES ADOPTION OF WTO RULING </strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Government of Canada is very pleased that the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body
has today adopted the panel's March 17 report validating Canada's early working exception. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"For more than two years, we have vigorously defended Canada's patent regime against this challenge," said
International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew. "We are very happy that the report has been adopted by the
Dispute Settlement Body and that the European Union (EU) has accepted the panel's ruling. This sends the
right message to our WTO partners that the early working exception, a fundamental component of Canada's
balanced patent regime, is consistent with international rules."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In Canada, the early working exception allows manufacturers to seek regulatory approval for competing
versions of patented products prior to the expiration of the patent term. This exception is particularly important
for the pharmaceutical sector. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada's win in the WTO proves that it is possible to have effective patent protection and effective competition
that benefit consumers," said Minister of Industry John Manley. "With this positive ruling, Canada will continue
to have a very favourable patent regime for the early entry of generic drugs on the market. This is a key benefit
for consumers."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"I am pleased with the news," said Health Minister Allan Rock. "We are committed to a high quality, cost-effective health care system. The ruling ensures that Canadians will continue to have access to high quality,
lower cost medicines as part of that system."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The panel decided that Canada's stockpiling exception was not consistent with its international obligations. The
benefits of the stockpiling exception are minimal relative to the advantage of the early working exception. The
Government of Canada will notify the WTO Dispute Settlement Body, within 30 days, of its intention in respect
of implementation of this aspect of the panel's ruling.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 - </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sylvie Bussières</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Tony Macerollo</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Industry</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-9001</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Derek Kent</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Health</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 957-1515</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20061209062357/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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