Confidential federal research on free-trade talks with Europe shows that giving the European Union just one part of what it wants on drug patents would cost Canadians up to $2 billion a year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has always insisted it’s a "myth" that the Canada-EU free trade deal would increase health costs.
But in September, officials at Industry Canada and Health Canada combined forces to examine the cost of the European demand to implement a patent-term restoration system, The Canadian Press has learned.
Adam Taylor, a spokesman for Trade Minister Ed Fast, would not comment directly on the bureaucrats’ number-crunching.
"Our government has always sought to strike a balance between promoting innovation and job creation and ensuring that Canadians continue to have access to the affordable drugs they need,” Taylor said in an email, reiterating the government’s standard message on the drug patent regime.
"Our government will only sign an agreement if it is in the best interests of Canadians."
Still, the fact that federal officials are costing out options for compromise suggests strongly that Ottawa is considering a move — despite vociferous opposition from many provincial governments, the generic drug industry and some health-care advocates.
The Canadian generic drug industry has financed its own research that indicates the EU proposals would cost Canadians about $3 billion a year.
EU drug demands would cost Canadians up to $2B a year: federal research - Winnipeg Free Press
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has always insisted it’s a "myth" that the Canada-EU free trade deal would increase health costs.
But in September, officials at Industry Canada and Health Canada combined forces to examine the cost of the European demand to implement a patent-term restoration system, The Canadian Press has learned.
Adam Taylor, a spokesman for Trade Minister Ed Fast, would not comment directly on the bureaucrats’ number-crunching.
"Our government has always sought to strike a balance between promoting innovation and job creation and ensuring that Canadians continue to have access to the affordable drugs they need,” Taylor said in an email, reiterating the government’s standard message on the drug patent regime.
"Our government will only sign an agreement if it is in the best interests of Canadians."
Still, the fact that federal officials are costing out options for compromise suggests strongly that Ottawa is considering a move — despite vociferous opposition from many provincial governments, the generic drug industry and some health-care advocates.
The Canadian generic drug industry has financed its own research that indicates the EU proposals would cost Canadians about $3 billion a year.
EU drug demands would cost Canadians up to $2B a year: federal research - Winnipeg Free Press