Canada's Rx&D denounces generic firms' "fear mongering"

Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) has issued a statement denouncing alleged scare tactics by generic medicine  manufacturers. Russell Williams, the Rx&D's president, said: "we wish to  set the record straight regarding the ongoing fear mongering campaign by  the generic companies which does nothing to improve Canada's economy or  its health care system."

The basis for the dispute is a decision taken in 2006 by the government  to give Canada data protection regulations that were welcomed by the  research-based drug sector. Legal challenges made by copy-drug  manufacturers lodged since then are due to be heard by the Federal Court  of Canada.

Describing the new arrangements as "a tangible step forward," Mr  Williams also argued that they "addressed a longstanding problem."  Previously, he claimed that "Canada was in contravention of its  international trade obligations because it had no enforceable data  protection."