[Ip-health] Statement of Generic Medicine Industries at IGWG2 8Nov07

[Malini Aisola]

European Generics Medicines Association (EGA)
Geneva, November 8, 2007

Thank you Mr. Chair for the opportunity to speak today.

My name is Gordon Johnston.  I am speaking on behalf of the European
Generic Medicines Association.  My comments will be brief today as I
want to address two specific issues for consideration during these
deliberations.  I also want to acknowledge that my statement reflects
the perspective of both the European and American generic industries.

Additionally, I encourage the delegates to review the submission of the
European Generic Medicines Assocation that is included in the
"Contributions" document that is part of the information provided to the
delegates of this week's proceedings.

The first issue is data exclusivity.  Data exclusivity per se is not a
requirement of TRIPS.  We request that developing or least developed
countries not impose data exclusivity requirements which could impede
timely access to medicines.

The second issue relates to the imposition of TRIPS Plus concepts on
developing or least developed countries.  TRIPS plus goes beyond the
data protection conditions established in either the EU or America
therefore TRIPS Plus should not be applied in developing or least
developed countries.

Again, thank you Mr. Chair for the opportunity to comment.