Features of the Regime
The World
Trade Organization (WTO) decision of August 2003 established the basic framework for a
compulsory licence for export regime. Within that
framework, each WTO member decides for itself how it will implement the decision domestically. Below
are some of the unique features of Canada's Access to Medicines Regime, many of which resulted
from negotiations between the Government of Canada, the private sector and various non-governmental
organizations:
- Although the WTO decision was an agreement amongst WTO member countries, the Regime is available to most
non-WTO countries as well.
- All drugs and medical devices exported under the Regime must meet the same safety, effectiveness and
quality requirements as those produced for the
Canadian market.
- Health Canada will review products intended for export under the Regime using the same process as products
for the Canadian market. A special stream has been created for Regime products so that review of them will not
be delayed.
- Once a compulsory licence is issued under the Regime, and if a claim for remission is made, Health Canada
will remit to the manufacturer the fees normally associated with the regulatory review process.
- Drugs and medical devices eligible for export
under the Regime are primarily from the World Health Organization's
Model List of
Essential Medicines, but provisions are in place for products to be added to the list.
- Products exported under the Regime must have special markings, colouring and labelling, as applicable, to
distinguish them from the patented versions sold in Canada. This will assist in preventing the products from
being diverted into markets other than those
for which they are authorized.
- To ensure that the Regime is used in good
faith, patent holders may challenge a compulsory licence in court if the cost of the generic product is
more than 25 percent of the cost of its equivalent patented version in Canada.
- Non-governmental organizations can act as
purchasers of licensed pharmaceutical products with the permission of the importing country's government.
- Other measures are in place to ensure that the Regime is as transparent as possible.
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