Overview
The need for global, equitable access to medicines is urgent. Too many people in developing countries are dying because medicines are not available at prices they can afford and health agencies have limited budgets to pay high prices for brand-name drugs. People die because they cannot afford to buy life.
Our work focuses on laws and policies that affect access to antiretroviral and other medicines, such as patents rules in international trade agreements and domestic legislation regulating the price of medicines.
This includes ensuring access to
- comprehensive care, treatment and support for people living with HIV;
- diagnostic tools (such as HIV testing kits), antiretroviral treatment, and other medicines; and
- other kinds of health and support services, including treatment for people with immune systems weakened by HIV, sexual and reproductive health services, addiction treatment, and mental health services.
Learn more:
FACTUM OF THE INTERVENERS-HIV LEGAL NETWORK and HIV & AIDS LEGAL CLINIC ONTARIO
The HIV Legal Network and HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (“HIV Coalition”) intervene jointly in this case to address the direct, deadly, and disproportionately adverse impact of ss. 2 and 3 of the Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024, S.O. 2024, c. 27, Sch. 2 (“impugned provisions”) on the rights of diverse communities of … Read more
HARD TIME PERSISTS: HEALTHCARE AND HARM REDUCTION IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION
Everyone — including people who have been detained — has a right to the highest attainable standard of health and to healthcare that is at least equivalent to that which is available in the community, whatever their immigration status. The current system — which allows for indefinite and punitive detention without comprehensive oversight — fails … Read more
HIV Legal Network Submission (January 2025) – Safer Municipalities Act, 2024 — Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, 2024
The HIV Legal Network urges the Ontario government to withdraw the Safer Municipalities Act, which will do nothing to address the crisis of homelessness and drug toxicity deaths in the province, and only further harm people who use drugs, particularly those who are unhoused.
Canada Must Take a Human Rights-Based Approach to HIV Self-Testing
On International Testing Week, more than 40 organizations from across Canada sign statement of support This statement can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network, HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario and the Canadian AIDS Society. Toronto, ON (November 23, 2023) – Today, more than 40 health and human rights organizations across the country have … Read more
MEDIA STATEMENT: WORLD AIDS DAY 2021: FORTY YEARS OF HIV, FORTY YEARS OF PROGRESS
WORLD AIDS DAY 2021: FORTY YEARS OF HIV, FORTY YEARS OF PROGRESS The following can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network. November 30, 2021 – Toronto – Tomorrow is World AIDS Day — a day to reflect on the current state of HIV and AIDS in the world, where we started, and how … Read more
Human rights advocates eye legal action against Canadian, German, Norwegian and UK governments over global COVID vaccine inequality
Human rights advocates eye legal action against Canadian, German, Norwegian and UK governments over global COVID vaccine inequality Coordinated legal efforts call on “recalcitrant” governments to support proposed waiver of COVID-related intellectual property monopolies at the WTO 25 November 2021 Human rights lawyers have threatened legal action against the German, Norwegian, and Canadian governments today … Read more
Statement: Religious beliefs must not interfere with patients’ rights to accessible health care
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH) and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO), are jointly intervening in a landmark case before the Court of Appeal for Ontario regarding whether doctors can put their personal religious beliefs ahead of patients’ rights to health care.
As Battle Over NAFTA Investor Protections Heats Up, Trinational Coalition Delivers 400,000 Petitions Demanding Elimination of Corporate Rights and Tribunals
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 11, 2017 – Growing public opposition to the expansive corporate privileges at the heart of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took centre stage as the fourth round of NAFTA talks began today in Washington, D.C. U.S., Mexican and Canadian civil society organizations delivered more than 400,000 petitions demanding that NAFTA’s … Read more