Joint NGO release on WHA Revised Drug Strategy

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

HEALTH ACTION INTERNATIONAL

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES

CONSUMER PROJECT ON TECHNOLOGY


For Immediate Release
24 May 1999


COUNTRIES GRANT WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION  NEW MANDATE
--seek WHO's help in increasing access to life-saving drugs--

Geneva, 24 May: The World Health Organization now has a clear role to
assist countries in their efforts to safeguard public health while
implementing international trade agreements, according to a resolution
passed unanimously by the 191 countries represented at the 52nd World
Health Assembly in Geneva. This resolution on the Revised Drug
Strategy will soften the often negative effects of new global trade
rules.

"The main importance of this resolution is that health now has a role
in all international trade and finance agreements," said Dr. Ian
Roberts, special advisor to the Minister of Health in South Africa. 
"We will be collaborating closely with the WHO to ensure that we get
affordable medicines to our people."  Throughout the past year, South
Africa has played a leading role in demanding access to life-saving
drugs for those living in developing countries.

The new resolution supplements the WHO Revised Drug Strategy which was
originally ratified in 1986 and was designed to ensure equitable
access to quality essential drugs and to promote their rational use.

"This is a timely addition to WHO's mandate in the pharmaceutical
area," said  Ellen `t Hoen of Health Action International.

As a result of the TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property
Agreement) the number of patented essential drugs will increase. 
Higher drug prices will keep them out of the reach of many  consumers
in poor countries.  These countries should be encouraged to use the
safeguards that exist within the TRIPS including parallel imports and
compulsory licensing.

"Although improved access to essential drugs is not a solution in
itself, it is a critical part of the equation for improving health
care in many countries," said Dr. Bernard Pecoul of Medecins Sans
Frontieres (MSF).

"One year ago the concepts contained in the new resolution were
bitterly opposed by the United States and many European governments on
the grounds that they undermined the intellectual property rights of
large pharmaceutical companies," said James Love, director of Consumer
Project on Technology.  "Now that the resolution has unanimously
passed, we need to take the next step and focus on implementation,
which will make treatment more available to people in poor countries."

Medecins Sans Frontieres, Health Action International and the 
Consumer Project on Technology will work together to advocate for the 
full implementation of the Revised Drug Strategy resolution.

----------------
Medecins Sans Frontieres is the world's largest independent medical
relief organization, providing care to victims of war, disasters and
epidemics in 80 countries worldwide. 
In Geneva: +41 79 286 9649 or in London: +44 171 713 5600. 
www.msf.org

Health Action International is a network of more than 200 consumer,
health, development action and other public interest groups involved
in health and pharmaceutical issues worldwide. 
In Amsterdam: +31 20 683 3684. www.haiweb.org

Consumer Project on Technology is a US based non-profit research and 
advocacy organization created by consumer advocate Ralph Nader. Its
activities focus on information technologies, intellectual property
and research and development. 
In Washington: +1 202 387 8030. www.cptech.org


 



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-------------------------------
James Love 
Center for Study of Responsive Law | Consumer Project on Technology 
P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036 | http://www.cptech.org
Voice 202/387-8030 | Fax 202/234-5176 | love@cptech.org