[Ip-health] Deputy USTR on relations w/ pharmaceutical industry during Korus FTA negotiations

[Mike Palmedo]

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=6573#Bhatia

Hearing before the Subcommittee on Ways and Means, US House of
Representatives, 110th Congress, First Session

March 20, 2007

(From the Q&A)

[snip]

REP. BILL PASCRELL (D-NJ).  According to the latest statistics from the
Health Institute in New Jersey, a lot of pharmaceuticals in New Jersey.
Sixty-five thousand people are employed.  It's important to me.  I
should not have to ask whose ox is going to be gored next, from textiles
to whatever to widgets.  I'm concerned about everybody.  I want to be
concerned.  You should be concerned.  I would like your assistance that
you're giving the pharmaceutical industry the same priority that is
given to automobiles, cattle ranchers.  Can you assure me that USTR is
going to do that also?

DEPUTY USTR KAREN BHATIA.  Congressman, we have been in contact with the
pharmaceutical industry from the outset of these negotiations.  I have
conducted--I can't count how many conference calls with senior
executives from the pharmaceutical industry on this subject.  I have
been involved in negotiations directly with the trade minister on the
subject of the pharmaceutical industry.  I can assure you that it
remains a high priority for us and will remain a high priority for us--

[snip]

--
Mike Palmedo
Research Coordinator
Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property
American University, Washington College of Law
4910 Massachutsetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20016
T - 202-274-4442 | F 202-274-0659
mpalmedo@wcl.american.edu