E-DRUG: "Intl. convention on Impact of WHO/TRIPs on Access to Drugs"
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Dear E-Drug Users,
Some of the people on E-drug list showed interest in knowing about the
recently held "International convention on Impact of WHO/TRIPs on
Access to Drugs" in Karachi (26th to 30th July 1999).
Instead of reporting individually I thought of writing a brief report
for the E-drug list.
This convention was jointly organized by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and MoH-Pakistan in collaboration with WHO, Pakistan
Pharmacist Association and The Drug Information Association (USA). The
convention was very well attended by the representatives of the
above-mentioned organizations along with consumer activists, patent
lawyers, economists and public health specialists.
To begin with the Federal Secretary Health and Federal Director
General of Health, in the opening sessions, made strong statements
about safe guarding the public interest in implementation of the TRIPs
agreement. The second important point made by them was the emphasis on
the need for developing definite national position during the review
process of TRIPs next year. Nevertheless the government also made it
clear that as an international obligation they respect the agreement
and realize the importance of patents. There were good presentations,
especially by a deputy chief from Federal Ministry of commerce who
said, "People are more important than patents".
James Love highlighted the importance of compulsory licensing and
presented it as a practical strategy that has potential to make
essential drugs available to the people. He also provided
international experience on compulsory licensing especially of
industrialized countries. Dr Bala also highlighted the existing dismal
scenarios in the developing countries with reference to access to
drugs and also clearly presented the problems in TRIPs from this
perspective.
The upshot of the convention is formation of a working group to
develop an appropriate strategy and to formulate and finalize the
recommendations of the conference after noting with concern that:
1) The present health situation in countries in the region is serious,
with most of the population still lacking access to essential drugs.
2) The implementation of certain provisions of the WTO Agreements,
notably the TRIPS Agreement, may have an adverse impact on public
health and on access to essential drugs.
3) Attempts to patent indigenous system of medicine, knowledge of medicinal
plants and food crops could jeopardize the public health interest.
The working group include representatives of health profession,
pharmaceutical industry (both local and MNCs), herbal drug industry
and a health economist and one expert each from MoH, Ministry of
Industries and Commerce, Ministry of Food and Agriculture. There will
also be two legal experts in the group, one representing
pharmaceutical industry and the other representing the public
interest. TheNetwork (Association for Rational Use of Medication in
Pakistan) is also invited to serve as a member of the group.
The working group would have its first meeting soon.
Dr. Zafar Mirza
Executive Coordinator
The Network
(Association for the Rational Use of Medication in Pakistan)
H.60-A, St.39, F-10/4
Islamabad-Pakistan.
Ph: +92-51-281755
Fax:+92-51-291552
Email: netcp@apollo.net.pk
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