E-drug: International convention on WTO/TRIPS
----------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON IMPACT OF WTO/TRIPS ON ACCESS TO DRUGS 26-30
JULY 1999 AT PEARL CONTINENTAL HOTEL KARACHI, PAKISTAN
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Ministry of Health Pakistan
is organizing the above-mentioned Convention in collaboration with the
World Health Organization and in conjunction with the Ist SAARC
International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmaceuticals.
The objective of the Convention is to conduct a realistic analysis of
impact of the general agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS) on human health in the developing countries in
particular: The question of pharmaceuticals patents is generally
believed by the southern scholars to have serious repercussions on
access to drugs in their region.
Under the said agreement, the member states are obliged to change their
intellectual property legislation to conform to the agreement within a
specified period. However this agreement leaves some flexibility and
allows for certain options to be considered for fulfilling its
obligations. It is hoped that this Convention will provide an
opportunity to deliberate upon such issues and to help develop a
workable strategy for the future.
Participation is being invited from member states of Eastern
Mediterranean and South East Pacific Regions of WHO, SAARC countries and
those interested from countries of the Central Asian States Africa,
Europe and America's. International organization such as WTO, WIPO and
UNIDO and other concerned national and international
organizations are also invited to participate in this activity. The
occasion will be of special interest to persons responsible for drug
policy and management including drug
licensing, registration and imports as well as to the pharmaceutical
industry.
This is to invite you and a high level delegation from your
organization/country to participate in this activity of major importance
to us all. Besides country presentation of about 10-20 minutes, speakers
are also invited to present papers on any specific issue relating to the
subject of the Convention. They are requested to indicate their name and
designation as well as title of their paper.
Background material on the subject and further information about the
convention shall be supplied to the perspective participants/speakers on
receipt of confirmation of their participation.
I look forward to your early response by fax or email before 30th June
and to a stimulating discussion and challenging debates on this very
complex issue.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. F.R.Y Fazli
Co. Chair and Iinternational Programme Coordinator
#10 Agha Khan Road, F-6/2, Islamabad.
Tel: (off) +92-51-826437 (Res) +92-51-9201314
Fax: +92-51-276956 / 27098
E-mail: fazlis@paknet2.ptc.pk
--
Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.