EU Commission pushes exports of generic drugs to poor countries
BRUSSELS, Oct 29 (AFP) - The European Commission has proposed a licensing system that would make it easier for European generic drug makers to provide treatments against killer diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis to developing countries, it said Friday.
The proposal implements a 2003 World Trade Organisation deal aimed at giving developing countries access to essential medicines they would not normally be able to afford.
Although the rules mostly codify a practice that is already in place, they also contain specifics on the labelling and packaging of these cut-price drugs to prevent their re-importation to the west.
"By adopting this proposal, the EU leads the way in ensuring access to affordable medicines for poor countries," EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said.
"I now hope that it can be taken forward quickly by the EU member states and the European Parliament."
Under the system, individual EU governments would be able to grant "compulsory licences" to generic drugmakers so they can meet demand from poorer countries for drugs those states do not have the capacity to produce themselves.
The international aid agency Oxfam welcomed the proposal, saying the EU "is sending a positive political signal to developing countries that they can override patents to gain access to cheaper generic medicines, vital to combating deadly and debilitating diseases.
"With 14 million people dying every year from infectious diseases, it is essential that developing countries feel confident about supplying cheaper generic medicines to their citizens in the face of hostility from the giant drug companies and the United States government," Oxfam official Michael Bailey said in a statement.
BRUSSELS, Oct 29 (AFP) - The European Commission has proposed a licensing system that would make it easier for European generic drug makers to provide treatments against killer diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis to developing countries, it said Friday.
The proposal implements a 2003 World Trade Organisation deal aimed at giving developing countries access to essential medicines they would not normally be able to afford.
Although the rules mostly codify a practice that is already in place, they also contain specifics on the labelling and packaging of these cut-price drugs to prevent their re-importation to the west.
"By adopting this proposal, the EU leads the way in ensuring access to affordable medicines for poor countries," EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said.
"I now hope that it can be taken forward quickly by the EU member states and the European Parliament."
Under the system, individual EU governments would be able to grant "compulsory licences" to generic drugmakers so they can meet demand from poorer countries for drugs those states do not have the capacity to produce themselves.
The international aid agency Oxfam welcomed the proposal, saying the EU "is sending a positive political signal to developing countries that they can override patents to gain access to cheaper generic medicines, vital to combating deadly and debilitating diseases.
"With 14 million people dying every year from infectious diseases, it is essential that developing countries feel confident about supplying cheaper generic medicines to their citizens in the face of hostility from the giant drug companies and the United States government," Oxfam official Michael Bailey said in a statement.
posted by Dr Philippe Maslo at 08:10
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