Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this opportunity to address the committee about a topic that's very close to my heart.
My name is John Kelsall, and I'm president of Health Partners International of Canada. HPIC is a Canadian non-profit medical aid agency that is having a significant impact by providing needed essential medicines, medical supplies, and vaccines to people in many of the poorest countries of the world.
We are pleased that the Government of Canada is taking a closer look at the workings of the access to medicines regime to help prevent death and alleviate suffering related, in particular, to the shocking effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We unequivocally support the aim of the regime, namely, to get aid to the people who so desperately need it.
Since the International AIDS Conference in Toronto last August, most Canadians have come to know about the HIV/AIDS situation, particularly as it affects sub-Saharan Africa. Many have seen, through the media, the devastation caused by this affliction. Anyone with eyes to see their desperate plight, ears to hear their horrifying stories, and a heart to feel compassion must be moved to help in whatever way they can. I personally have seen the devastation and heard the cries for help.
According to UNAIDS, every minute of every day a child under the age of 15 becomes infected. Ninety percent of the more than five million children who have been infected were born in Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, women make up 57% of people living with the disease. Three-quarters of young people infected on the continent are young women aged 15 to 24.
We applaud the federal government's commitment to ensure the delivery of affordable essential medicines to help alleviate the suffering. We are also very much aware of the need for ARVs, and that these must be delivered in a coordinated framework that includes patient counselling, home-based care, trained medical professionals, blood testing laboratories, and the consistent supply of ARVs, along with other medicines and medical supplies.
It is our belief that government policy should enable Canadian aid organizations such as ours to be the outstretched hand of Canadians in a way that is both reasonable and responsible. We are aware, however, that this review must resolve practical policy and regulatory issues regarding to whom medicines are sold, and in what conditions. And we trust that people with a heart to do so will find workable and equitable solutions.
The comments that we provided for the review are already on the record. For the purpose of this discussion, l'd just like to highlight our key recommendations.
First, take an integrated approach to dealing with HIV/AIDS. HPIC recommends that the government, as well as aid agencies, industry, and civil institutions, ensure that there is a balance in funding and allocation of other resources to all aspects of the battle against HIV/AIDS, including treatment of opportunistic infections, and other public health initiatives that support HIV/AIDS interventions.
Second, simplify the process as much as possible and ensure that information regarding CAMR is clearly communicated to countries that could benefit. HPIC recommends that the government undertake programs to facilitate access to essential medicines through Canada's access to medicines regime by involving developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, by encouraging use of its provisions, and by making adjustments if necessary.
Third, favour practical solutions of manageable scale. HPIC recommends that the government focus on support of suitable facilities with the supply of ARVs and other appropriate medicines from Canadian sources in order to develop a template for the effective treatment of HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Last, protect the anti-diversion provisions of the current regime. HPIC recommends that the government take all reasonable steps to ensure that medicines originating from Canadian sources not be diverted from their intended consignee.
What appears evident to us, Mr. Chairman, is that Canada must better understand the reasons why provisions of the regime have not yet been operationalized. The government would profit from hearing the voices of African governments, for example, that have a major stake in the outcome. Many have acted courageously, against daunting odds, to implement bold national strategies that deal with the shocking prevalence of HIV and AIDS. As well, African nations should be encouraged to explore local manufacturing and procurement options, perhaps with the assistance of the Canadian government.
Canada has a brilliant reputation as a land of compassionate people. But the problems associated with AIDS in Africa are too big for compassion alone. They call for the mobilization of all developed countries and all segments of Canadian society. They call for responsible action.
The Canadian access to medicines regime is only one tool designed to deal with a larger set of issues, and it is not even the most important one. Decisions regarding CAMR, therefore, must be both cautious and courageous. They will require goodwill and ingenuity from all political parties, all segments of the Canadian population, as well as all sectors of industry. We are confident this will occur.
Thank you.