Attn: News / Medical Editors
November 7, 2003
For Immediate Release

Canadian-Owned Generic Company 
Prepared To Provide HIV/AIDS Drug to Developing Nations

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – The Apotex Group of Companies announced today that it is prepared to produce a key HIV/AIDS drug under legislation introduced yesterday to allow Canadian-made generic pharmaceuticals to be exported to developing countries in times of health crises.

Apotex could manufacture Apo-Zidovidine, a generic equivalent of Retrovir-AZTÒ, to help combat HIV/AIDS in developing countries, in Canada using raw materials made in our fine chemical plant in Brantford, Ontario.

“With our expertise and experience in producing the generic equivalent of AZTÒ, we can gear up fairly quickly”, stated Jack Kay, President and COO of Apotex. “We are ready to assist in the fight against the HIV/AIDS disaster in Africa and other parts of the developing world.”

Our ability to supply AZTÒ is dependent on our receiving a compulsory licence under the newly introduced legislation. Yesterday, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien introduced legislation that will allow Canadian generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to participate in a recent landmark World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement to allow developing countries to import lower-cost generic medicines in times of health emergencies.

The Canadian-owned Apotex Group is one of the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world manufacturing more than 220 affordable medicines for export to 115 countries. Its state-of-the-art facilities of over 3,300,000 sq.ft. in Toronto have a capacity to manufacture over 12 billion tablets and capsules a year.

The Apotex Group employs approximately 5,500 Canadians and invests more than $190 million annually in research and development in Canada, more than any other pharmaceutical company.

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For additional  information, please contact:

Mr. Elie Betito
Director, Public & Government Affairs
Tel: (416) 749-9300 Ext. 7366
Fax: (416) 401-3835
E-mail: ebetito@apotex.com