E-DRUG: MSF responds to USTR's Special 301 Report
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http://www.msfaccess.org/content/msf-responds-us-trade-301-watch-list
In the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) 2014 'Special 301 Report' released
today, India remains on the Priority Watch List, as in previous years, for
what the USTR considers to be inadequate protection of intellectual
property. This year USTR goes a step further by announcing a more in-depth
investigation into Indian patent law (called an Out-of-Cycle Review),
through which it will maintain ongoing and increased pressure on India.
India - the world's principal producer and supplier of quality generic
medicines - has in recent years repeatedly been singled out by the US
government and the multinational pharmaceutical industry on the grounds of
insufficient enforcement of intellectual property.
Yet what India is doing when it seeks to limit patent evergreening (where
companies file multiple patents in a bid to ever-extend monopolies), or
when it authorizes the sale of a generic version of an expensive patented
medicine through the use of compulsory licenses, is entirely within global
trade rules, and these actions save lives. Other countries are now
considering similar legislation replicating the Indian model. The US
pharmaceutical industry and USTR are clearly worried and are now seeking to
curb India's influence on global patent reform efforts that have the
potential to increase access to medicines for millions in need in
developing countries.
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) responds to the USTR's continuous pressure
on India with the below quote:
"The U.S. Trade Rep is throwing every single intimidation and pressure
tactic it has at its disposal at India. This is just the latest example of
how USTR is attempting to penalize India for not bowing to the endless
efforts of the multinational pharmaceutical industry to severely restrict
generic competition in India and world-wide.
"The USTR is painting India as a rogue government, when in fact every
action in India's efforts to secure access to affordable, lifesaving
medicines is fully consistent with global trade rules. India is playing by
the rules, and USTR knows it. India's policies have saved lives. It is an
example that should be followed, not criticized.'
- Judit Rius Sanjuan, U.S. Manager, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors
Without Borders' Access Campaign.
Joanna Keenan
Press Officer
Medecins Sans Frontieres - Access Campaign
P: +41 22 849 87 45
M: +41 79 203 13 02
E: joanna.keenan[at]geneva.msf.org