Universities Allied for Essential Medicines

Canada's Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) Reform Campaign

URGENT ACTION NEEDED:

HELP US TO TAKE ACTION IN OCTOBER

EMAIL FEDERAL PARTY LEADERS, THE PRIME MINISTER, AND LOCAL MPs
TO SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF BILL C-393 IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

WHY NOW?
NOW is a critical moment in our campaign to persuade our government to fix CAMR legislation. With CAMR fixed, Canada can keep its promise to provide a steady flow of lower-cost, live-saving medicines to Africa. Bill C-393 is our best hope for fixing CAMR.

On Friday, October 23rd, Bill C-393 will be debated at a 2nd-hour reading in the House of Commons. It is important that enough MPs pass the Bill on to a committee that can review the proposed reforms and hear from experts on this important issue. This vote is set to take place on Wednesday, October 28th. The NDP is supportive of Bill C-393. The Conservative Party has consistently maintained its position that it opposes the proposed reforms; so, we can anticipate that they will vote “NO” on passing the Bill after 2nd reading. A “YES” majority depends on convincing Liberal and Bloc MPs to support Bill C-393.

It is very important that we contact all Party Leaders, local MPs, and the Prime Minister, and urge them to support Bill C-393 and allow it to be reviewed by a committee.

WE NEED YOU. The more people who take action at this time, and email Canada’s Federal Party Leaders and their local MPs, the better! We want to create a huge impact by flooding inboxes with requests for support of Bill C-393.

Feel free to personalize the letter – tell them why CAMR Reform is important to you. Ask them to acknowledge that the current CAMR legislation is not effective, by asking their party members to supporting Bill C-393 at its 2nd reading.

>>Learn More

September 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Legislator,

On September 16th a shipment of drugs left the Toronto airport bound for Rwanda. It has taken years of persistence and determination for Apotex to send this second part of a shipment of drugs to dying Africans.

In 2004, Canada responded to the urgent need for lower-cost, life-saving medicines by passing Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) with all party support. Unfortunately, CAMR is too flawed to be effective. The delivery of one order to one country by one generic drug company in five years cannot be termed successful. We Canadians have a responsibility to do better. And we can.

Bill C-393, which is designed to simplify the process with a one-license proposal, offers a solution in streamlining CAMR. Knowledgeable experts have answered every question raised about the amendment. There is no cost and it adheres to WTO, TRIPS and health regulations.

This is a humanitarian rather than a trade issue. The picture of children dying of AIDS before their second birthday is heart wrenching. We cannot bear this reality, knowing that Canada could provide the medicines necessary to keep these children and their parents alive.

Apotex Canada has indicated its willingness to develop a medicine primarily for children, one dose, easy to swallow. But their commitment is based on making CAMR more workable.

It is only fair that ideas about reforming it should not simply be dismissed outright. Instead, the details of the reforms should be considered by a committee that can hear from experts. I ask you to acknowledge that in principle there is a problem with the current CAMR. Please call on the members of your party to support Bill C-393, and allow it to pass to committee for careful study.

You have the information regarding CAMR that you need. As leader of your party, you have the power to lead your members in the right direction. I urge you to hear the plea of Canadians joining the voices of those in developing nations who are holding their dying children. Please help. Support Bill C-393.

I look forward to your responses to this letter and your indication that you and your party will support this bill.

Sincerely,

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Canada's Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) Reform Campaign