Mexico, U.S. will support Canadian AIDS drug plan

Trade representatives from the United States and Mexico on Tuesday said the countries will support Canada's plan to alter its patent laws to allow drug companies to make and export generic versions of anti-HIV medications. The announcements of support came during a meeting of the North American Free Trade Agreement commission in Montreal. Although both the United States and Mexico support a World Trade Organization agreement to allow developing countries to buy or make generic anti-HIV medications, the Canadian plan needed specific approval from NAFTA officials so as to not violate the terms of that agreement. "It's a fine step. We would certainly not take any steps against that," said U.S. trade representative Robert Zoellick at the meeting. He added that the only U.S. concern is that Canada must take steps to ensure that generic anti-HIV medications are not exported to any Western nations where patent laws protecting name-brand versions of the drugs remain in effect. Canadian lawmakers hope to have the generic-drug plan drafted and approved by the end of December.