Commentary available: Amendments to Canada's Access to Medicine Regime (CAMR)

TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - UNICEF Canada CEO David Morley is available to comment the critical reforms to Canada's Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) proposed in Bill C-398, which will help get life-saving medication to the world's most vulnerable children.

Commentary available on the unacceptable numbers of children not receiving life-saving medicines that are readily available in countries such as Canada,  inefficiencies of the current CAMR system, misrepresentations being circulated on the bill and the impact the proposed amendments will have on getting affordable drugs to children and their families around the world.

UNICEF believes it is unacceptable that only 42 per cent of the estimated 1.5 million infants born worldwide to mothers with HIV receive the medications needed to prevent transmission of the disease.

Canada has already shown leadership on maternal, newborn and child health through the Muskoka Initiative. Increasing access to lifesaving medicines is an important way of strengthening this commitment. The House of Commons has also already endorsed a previous version of Bill C-398 which was passed by a large majority with support from MPs from every party, but ran out of time in the Senate before the last federal election was called.

UNICEF Canada has launched the Meds4all campaign, encouraging Canadians to take action by asking their MP to support Bill C-398. http://www.unicef.ca/en/take-action/article/medicines-are-for-all

David Morley has more than 25 years experience in international cooperation and currently sits on the board of directors for the Stephen Lewis Foundation and UNICEF's international HIV/AIDS campaign to eliminate the virus in newborns.

Who:	UNICEF Canada President and CEO David Morley
What:	Commentary on proposed amendments to Canada's Access to Medicines Regime, (Bill C-398)
Where:	Toronto and Ottawa, across Canada via phone or skype
When:	House of Commons will debate Bill C-398 (second reading) on November 21 and vote on November 28, 2012

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive.

 

SOURCE: UNICEF Canada

Melanie Sharpe
UNICEF Canada
Office 416-482-6552 ext. 8892 cell: 416-806-2764
[email protected]