Whereas:
*In March of 2021, Biolyse
requested that COVID-19 vaccines be added to
Schedule 1of the Patent Act. Over six hundred days have passed, with the Government of Canada refusing to action this request.
*Responding to a global pandemic in a way that minimizes both the loss of life and the potential emergence of new, more contagious and deadly variants requires that as many people around the world have access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics as quickly and safely as possible.
*From the early days of the pandemic, pharmaceutical and device manufacturers have prioritized profits over saving lives by restricting supply in low and middle-income countries, leaving large numbers untreated.
*Under Canada's Access to Medicines Regime , Canadian manufacturers can apply for
compulsory licences to produce and
export lower-cost versions of life-saving products to low-and middle-income countries that lack the manufacturing capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
*The
first step in granting a compulsory licence is to have the requisite product added to
Schedule 1 of the Patent Act.
*The October 2022 HOC Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development
report recommended that the Government of Canada immediately add COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and (therapeutic) treatments to Schedule 1.
*
We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Minister of Health to:1. Recommend to the Governor in Council as per S.21.03(1)(a) of the Patent Act to immediately add COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics to Schedule 1 of the Patent Act. Thereby permitting export under CAMR for Humanitarian reasons.