[Ip-health] USTR Nat. Trade Barriers Report on Thai compulsory licenses

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/2008/2008_=
NTE_Report/asset_upload_file823_14611.pdf

2008 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers

March 28, 2008

The 2007 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE)
is the twenty-first in an annual series that surveys significant foreign
barriers to U.S. exports. The report provides, where feasible,
quantitative estimates of the impact of these foreign practices on the
value of U.S. exports. Information is also included on actions taken to
eliminate barriers.

[snip]

Thailand=92s Ministry of Public Health has issued compulsory licenses on
certain patented drugs. The United States acknowledges Thailand=92s
ability to issue compulsory licenses to address public health
emergencies, subject to Thailand=92s domestic and international legal
obligations as a WTO Member. At the same time, the United States has
expressed concern regarding a lack of transparency in the process and
about the potentially expansive use of compulsory licenses. The United
States has urged Thailand to address judiciously the complexities of the
relationship between health and intellectual property policy and to do
so in ways that recognize the role of intellectual property in the
development of new drugs.

[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