E-DRUG: Letter from EU HIV/AIDS Civil Society to EU about FTA EU-India
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EU HIV/AIDS
Civil Society Forum
Mr Karel de Gucht
European Commissioner for International Trade
European Commission
DG Trade
Rue de La Loi, 200
1000 Bruxelles
Belgium
Brussels, 29 April 2010
Negotiations between India and the European Union on a Free Trade Agreement
Request for information
Dear Mr de Gucht,
Some major NGOs and Members of the European Parliament have expressed their concern that the current EU position taken in the negotiations between India and the European Union on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) may affect provisions on data exclusivity, patent term extensions and enforcement of IP rights that could reverse the advances made on access to medicine in the developing world.
The draft FTA could have implications on the production and supply of generic ARVs in resource limited settings including many countries in the WHO Europe region. In the past, generic medicines have greatly contributed to improving access through price reduction.
We would be grateful if you could inform us of what you consider to be the likely impact of the draft FTA if implemented on the provision and supply of generic ARVs in resource limited settings, and how you aim to ensure that there is no adverse impact of this agreement on access to ARVs for those in need either in the European region or indeed anywhere else in the world.
Yours sincerely
Nikos Dedes
Co-chair, Civil Society Forum
European AIDS Treatment Group
Place Raymond Blyckaerts
B-1050 Brussels
Email: nikos.dedes@eatg.org
Yusef Azad
Co-chair, Civil Society Forum
Aids Action Europe
13 Keizersgracht 390
NL -1016 GB Amsterdam
Email: yusef.azad@nat.org.uk
The EU HIV/AIDS Civil Society Forum (CSF) is an informal advisory body established in 2005 by the European Commission to facilitate the participation of NGOs and networks, including those representing People Living with HIV/AIDS, in European policy development and implementation as well as to exchange information.
Alexandra Heumber
EU & IP Policy Adviser
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Access to Essential Medicines Campaign
Rue Dupre, 94. 1090 Brussels
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www.msfaccess.org
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