Industry committee  Frankly, I think the act is more straightforward than some people are saying. It is straightforward. Some people may choose to try to complicate it, but it doesn't have to be complicated. There are basic questions that could be answered. Absolutely, I think this all could work, and as I said from day one, we have been supportive of the principles of this act.

Industry committee  The overriding principle here is...

Industry committee  We are involved on several levels. The Rx&D; firms will continue to work in partnership on all projects designed to provide assistance to Third World countries. We are proud of this accomplishment and of our companies. Our role under the act is limited to a 30-day period, but we will do our job.

Industry committee  According to the act, our responsibility ceases after 30 days, but our work in the Third World continues. We will meet our other obligations. We will never throw in the towel. We have already forged several partnerships which we intend to maintain.

Industry committee  I'm not disappointed about the principles of the act. I think we can be proud of them. I too was proud of this piece of legislation. Our industry has steadfastly supported this act's fundamental principles. Despite differences of opinion as to how the act should be applied, I hope that we don't lose sight of the act's objective, which is to come up with a system to help people who are sick.

Industry committee  In my old political life I think we never inferred what intention was from other sides, so I would ask Jim to do the same. I am very interested in finding ways to make sure that this law is fully tested. I don't accept that we haven't gone through the process and we throw up our arms and say let's go back to rewriting it.

Industry committee  Personally, I went and met with a group of 25 African ambassadors to talk about this legislation. I wasn't blaming anybody, please, and I don't think you really were meaning to say that I was.

Industry committee  Let me just quickly, and then Mr. Alton can respond.

Industry committee  No, my position is not that it's their fault. My position is they didn't know about it. They weren't informed about it. So to your question, one of the things we did is we went out and started talking to them. We have now been communicating to them. It's not up to us to tell all the details of it, but we did our best.

Industry committee  In terms of the current legislation, we're looking at four basic bits of information: which country's asking for it, who's using it, the quantity--very straightforward questions--and if that's a 30-day process. If that doesn't work, the generics could move forward. Our role is very small in this.

Industry committee  First and foremost, I think we should be doing everything in our power to work on this important issue, I agree with you. I've tried to list some of the things we were doing long before the bill turned to debate. So I don't think there's any argument there. I would love to see the bill tested.

Industry committee  It is an excellent step forward. We're trying to find out how to use it best. As you know, it's just been announced, so it hasn't been fully implemented. I think it speaks to the question that this has to be a comprehensive approach. Whether it's this law, whether it's philanthropy, other training programs, infrastructures, roads, education, if we're going to attack this--and this is what the AIDS activists have told me--we have to approach it globally.

Industry committee  With your permission, I'll go first. Thank you for asking such detailed questions. I'm not convinced that the process is not working. I don't think that has been proven yet. One of the reasons why the program hasn't been used thus far is the price of generic products in Canada. You can add that to your list of reasons.

Industry committee  Bonjour, monsieur le président, members of the committee. Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D;) applaud Canada for being one of the first countries to provide legislation that responds to the Third World's need for access to pharmaceuticals. Canada's Access to Medicines Regime was passed into law unanimously by Parliament in a spirit of compassion that reflects Canadian values.

Health committee  That's exactly our question, and I think those are the questions you should be asking. Why I highlighted the press communiqué of two days ago is that while we're moving forward with a review to understand the effectiveness and the efficiency of CDR, there's an announcement saying it is being expanded.