[Ip-health] Pharmalot: EU Not Threatening Thailand With WTO Litigation

[Sarah Rimmington]

http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/eu-not-threatening-thailand-with-wto-litig=
ation/

EU Not Threatening Thailand With WTO Litigation
March 12th, 2008 1:44 pm By Ed Silverman

Now that Thailand=92s new government has indicated it will proceed, after
all, with plans to issue compulsory licenses for three cancer meds,
speculation is growing that the European Commission will pursue
litigation under World Trade Organization rules. However, activists who
support Thailand=92s efforts are circulating a statement from an EU
spokesperson that quashes the notion.

According to the message we received, European Union reps say the
allegations are untrue. And asked if the EU was considering a WTO
challenge, an EU official stated that the EU has made never threatened a
challenge, does not plan a challenge, and acknowledges that Thailand=92s
actions comply with WTO rules. This is the statement=85

=93The commission has been in constant contact with the Thai authorities
and has stressed that compulsory licensing, while allowed by the WTO
rules, should be regarded as a last resort option and that negotiations
and collaboration with pharmaceutical companies should be sought. The EU
is hoping that this will be the line of the new government. However, it
is clear that the commission has never threatened WTO litigation on
compulsory licensing for medicines.=94

We have written the EU to seek further comment. We should note,
meanwhile, that similar rumors surfaced last month involving pending
sanctions by Washington. However, the US Trade Rep ruled out trade
sanctions, but did say Thailand=92s status is being examined as part of an
annual review. Pharma has lobbied for the US Trade Rep to downgrade
Thailand to its lowest echelon. Bangkok is already on the Priority Watch
List.




--
Sarah Rimmington
Attorney
Essential Action, Access to Medicines Project
Washington, DC
Tel: (202) 387-8030
Cell: (202) 422-2687
www.essentialaction.org/access/