Canada turns up on U.S. naughty list over rules governing drug patents

WASHINGTON – The U.S. government has tossed a brickbat Canada’s way over its drug-patent rules.

In its annual report on intellectual property rights around the world, the American administration expresses “serious concern” that it’s too easy for courts to strike down pharmaceutical patents.

That makes Canada the only G7 country among the 26 on the so-called “watch list.”

Another 10 countries are listed on the more serious “priority watch list,” starting with China, India and Russia.

Canada actually spent four years on that top-priority list, but improved its standing in 2013 following a pair of moves by the Harper government including the Copyright Modernization Act targeting Internet piracy.

This year’s report says Canadian court decisions have cost American drug makers — and it hopes the issue is resolved in upcoming negotiations toward trade talks in the 12-country Trans Pacific Partnership.