Canadian drug patent bill
Executive Summary
Amendments to Canada's Patent Act, introduced in the House of Commons Nov. 6, would prevent market entrance of generic drugs until seven years after a patent is issued for the brandname drug. The language of the bill is almost identical to draft legislation announced in June ("The Pink Sheet" July 7, T&G-3). The amendments would allow for marketing exclusivity to be reduced or eliminated four years after the exclusivity provisions go into effect -- if an independent drug price review board determines that a drug is being sold at an excessive price.