Lexchin J
Int J Health Serv. 1993;23(1):147-60. doi: 10.2190/UCWG-YBR3-X3L0-NWYT.
In response to high drug prices, the Canadian government amended the country's patent act in 1969 to allow for compulsory licensing to import pharmaceuticals. As a result of the legislation, by 1983 drug costs in Canada were over $200 million lower than they would otherwise have been. The multinational drug industry was strongly opposed to compulsory licensing, despite any evidence that its economic position had been harmed. Restoration of patent protection for drugs was one of the key U.S. demands during free-trade negotiations between Canada and the United States in 1985-1987. The result was Bill C-22, which gave new drugs protection from compulsory licensing for seven to ten years. This article analyzes the impact of Bill C-22 on the generic industry, the creation of jobs in research and development, drug prices, and research and development expenditures. It concludes with an examination of future demands from the pharmaceutical industry.
为应对高昂的药品价格，加拿大政府于1969年修订了该国的专利法，允许强制许可进口药品。这项立法实施后，到1983年，加拿大的药品成本比原本应有的成本降低了2亿多美元。尽管没有任何证据表明其经济地位受到了损害，但跨国制药行业强烈反对强制许可。恢复药品专利保护是1985年至1987年加拿大与美国自由贸易谈判期间美国的关键要求之一。结果就是出台了C-22法案，该法案给予新药7至10年的强制许可保护。本文分析了C-22法案对仿制药行业、研发领域就业创造、药品价格以及研发支出的影响。文章最后审视了制药行业未来的需求。
