Canadian lawmakers approve generic-drug bill

Canada's house of commons on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would amend the country's patent laws so that the government could issue licenses to companies to produce generic versions of drugs for use in developing countries. The measure was designed largely to allow generic-drug firms to make and sell cheap HIV antiretrovirals in poor countries hit hard by AIDS. About 50 countries would be eligible to buy the cheap drugs from Canadian companies. Canada's senate is expected to approve the legislation later this week.