Bill C-398 was a private member's bill that sought to open the flow of generic drugs from Canada to the most poverty-stricken regions of Africa by removing the red tape associated with the process. It was voted down by a parliamentary majority that seemed more concerned with patent protection, and trade, than the lives of the least fortunate.

This was a bill that placed a simple moral question on the table: is it not right for those who need medication the most to receive it if possible? NGOs on the ground, activists, international legal experts, even brand pharmaceutical companies seemed to respond in the affirmative. Only the House of Commons replied no.

It is never too late to reevaluate decisions. Bill C-398 might be dead, but the ideas behind it are certainly not. Let your signature be a testament to that.

For more information, please visit

http://grandmothersadvocacy.org/Type/bill-c398/