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This enactment provides for the development of a plan for the supply
of drugs to protect the public from biological or biochemical aggression
by means of terrorism or warfare. The plan includes provision for the
necessary powers, reasonable compensation to drug suppliers, and a
proposal for any amendments to the Patent Act required to put the plan
into effect. The plan is to be laid before the House of Commons and
referred to a standing committee.
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To allow the protection plan to be developed by the Ministers of
Industry and Health and considered by Parliament, the Governor in
Council is empowered, for an interim period of one year, to order the
provision of biochemical protection drugs at a price based on their
incremental cost plus a reasonable profit. This temporary authority
operates notwithstanding the Patent Act, but those affected may appeal
the price in the Federal Court.
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The enactment also provides for a Canadian initiative to fight
epidemic diseases, including HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis, through an
international program to make drugs available at incremental cost and
provide the necessary health education in countries that have or are
threatened with epidemic diseases.
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It requires the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in co-operation with the
Ministers of Industry and Health, to convene an international
conference of developed nations to consider and propose a program of
international assistance through the supply of epidemic disease drugs
with the cooperation of drug manufacturers.
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