Too much red tape is preventing affordable life-saving AIDS medicines from reaching millions of desperate men, women and children (Flawed Program, Failed Mandate - July 21). Canada's Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) can easily be fixed and it wouldn't cost us a dime.
Opponents suggest reform will violate international trade rules and dissuade spending on research and development. Nonsense. Proposed reforms are compliant with World Trade Organization rules. Brand-name companies' patents would be protected and royalties paid.
In a dismaying example of a "do-nothing" attitude, critics say that CAMR "is not a panacea." Of course CAMR doesn't solve this multifaceted problem. Other actions are needed but let us tackle this hurdle and keep working on others.
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network