E-DRUG: MSF report on WTO August 30th Decision and Canadian legislation
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On the occasion of the XVI International Conference on AIDS in Toronto,
MSF is releasing a detailed analysis of the challenges associated with the
WTO August 30th Decision, allowing generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to
export life-saving medicines to developing countries, and with Canada's
implementation of the Decision through its Jean Chrétien Pledge to Africa.
MSF was amongst the first to attempt to use the international decision, by
placing an order for antiretroviral drugs to patients in our field
projects.
But two years on, not a single pill has yet left Canada.
In the report - 'Neither expeditious, nor a solution: the WTO August 30th
Decision is unworkable', MSF provides a step by step review of the hurdles
that block access to key therapeutic products under the WTO Decision. It
also assesses the complications added to the WTO mechanism by the Canadian
government when it drafted its domestic legislation.
With international patent protection enforced on a country-by-country
basis worldwide, the doors to generic production and export are closing
fast. As a result, millions will have no option but to wait out the 20
year patent terms before they can have access to essential medicines. It
is therefore vital to address the failings of the WTO Decision, and of the
Canadian law, so that essential medicines can be exported to countries
which cannot produce their own drugs.
To download the report, please consult http://www.accessmed-msf.org
James ARKINSTALL
Campaigner
Medecins Sans Frontieres - Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines
direct line (33) 1 40 21 28 27
James ARKINSTALL <James.ARKINSTALL@paris.msf.org>