Drug analysts said patented drugs often sell for 10 to 20 times the cost of making them.

They contend the law gives the health minister too much power to allow cheaper versions of patented drugs.

Is it fair to the inventor to allow society free access to the patented drug?

For decades Canada allowed any company to apply for a license to make a patented drug there.

In 1969, it allowed copies of patented drugs to be imported, and a generic industry began to thrive.

Over Washington's objections, poor nations won the right to make patented drugs in certain situations, especially when there is a "national emergency."

That has left most poor countries dependent on expensive patented drugs to fight the world's deadliest diseases.

American manufacturers often sell patented drugs abroad for less than they charge in this country.

By the same token we should also be considering the price of patented drugs, and the development of public health services in developing countries.

If the generic and patented drug produce the same blood levels, they are considered bio-equivalent.