Geoff Regan, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, voted in favour of measures to improve Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime and to help people in developing countries receive medical care.

“There are countries that have suffered a great deal from the effects of diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, diseases for which there are treatments. We are very fortunate in Canada and I believe we must do everything we can to ensure that people in developing countries have access to medicines to fight these diseases,” the Liberal MP said after the vote.

Bill C-393 aims to fix a flaw in Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) and expedite the supply of drugs to manage and prevent the spread of these diseases. MPs voted 172 to 11 in favour of the bill, which will now proceed to the Senate.

Regan said, “I am pleased that Bill C-393 has been passed by the House, but I do think we need to go further to help people in developing countries access the medicines they need. We need new supports to purchase medicines, as well as investments in research to develop new drugs and improved access to primary health care.”

The Liberal Party has proposed new measures that will be effective in helping developing countries fight disease and advance their public health goals. As part of the party’s Global Networks Strategy, a Liberal government will re-invest in foreign aid that enhances the capacity of developing countries to manage public health; invest in ongoing international research to produce an HIV/AIDS vaccine, microbicides and other transmission inhibitors; and create a fund to help developing countries purchase the medicines they need.

“There are pharmaceutical companies in Canada who are making amazing strides in the research and development of treatments for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. And there are companies who have acted generously in helping to provide these medicines to people suffering in developing countries,” Regan said. “We need to support their research and help make sure the drugs they are developing make it into the hands of the people who need them.”

Source: http://www.bedfordbeacon.com/regan-supports-measures-to-provide-medicines-to-developing-countries