[Ip-health] CUMVIVIUM release on extention of

[Mike Palmedo]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CUMVIVIUM Denounces New EU Regulations which will Hurt Access to
Affordable Medicines
It Warns Other Countries From Adopting Similar Actions

March 23, 2004
Contact: Alain Lejeune
Ph:32-71-877-145
e-mail: Pharmaworld.scrl@gate71.be

BRUSSELS, CUMVIVIUM, a non-governmental organization constituted by the
Vatican, Generic Companies, the International Federation of Catholic
Pharmacists and Academics warned Governments that the new regulations
adopted by the European Parliament last December extending data
protection up to 11 years will seriously hurt access to affordable
medicines in those countries.  "This type of regulations creates
monopolies even for drugs that are not protected by patents and will
further restrict access to affordable lifesaving drugs", said Alain
Lejeune, president of CUMVIVIUM and founder of the European Generic
Association.

The problems of Research and Development in Europe are not going to be
solved by granting more monopoly to already profitable firms.  With this
new regulation, Europe is giving a great present to powerful interest
groups in exchange for promises, said the organization.

Governments around the world should not follow this example.  CUMVIVIUM
hopes that other countries will look for ways to improve greater access
to affordable medicine, while at the same time provide compensations,
expressed in equitable laws, to those in the world that need access to
essential medicines.

#    #    #