[Ip-health] EU Trade Commissioner Mandelson responding to the European Parliament on Compulsory licence for medicines (Thai issue) May 27, 2008-

[Alexandra HEUMBER]

This is a multipart message in MIME format.
--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
Please find below Peter Mandelson (EU Trade Commissioner) speech at the
European Parliament yesterday on the Thailand CL issue following the
letter that he addressed to the Thai Governent on February 2008 .

The International Trade Committee of the European Parliament requested him
clarification on the letter since it contradicts the EU commitment to the
Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health and also the European
Parliament Resolution July 12, 2007 (
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=3D-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA=
-2007-0353+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN
).

Regards
Alexandra

Alexandra Heumber
EU Advocacy Liaison Officer
M=E9decins Sans Fronti=E8res
Access to Essential Medicines Campaign
Rue Dupr=E9, 94. 1090 Brussels
++32 (0) 2 474 75 09 (Dir off)
++ 32 (0) 479 514 900 (Mob)
++ 32 (0) 2 474 75 75 (Fax)


De: Peter.Power@ec.europa.eu
Sujet: EU TRADE NEWS: Peter Mandelson's address to the Committee on
International Trade of the Euopean Parliament
Date: Mardi 27 Mai 15:10
For more questions please contact Peter Power +32 498 98 03 48.

TRIPS letter

Before I turn to Doha I would like to address the letter you sent me
regarding the exchange I had with the Thai authorities.

We do not question the right of any country to issue compulsory licences.
The Cariforum EPA for instance, expressly recognises the importance of the
Doha Declaration and of the 2003 Decision on compulsory licensing.  This
is a clause we propose to any developing country with which we negotiate.

The reason why I wrote to the Thai government is that we are concerned
about the possible consequences of a systematic recourse to compulsory
licences.

Providing affordable health care requires a mix of various policies.  For
developing countries, compulsory licensing can be part of that mix -
especially in cases where price agreements can not be reached with
pharmaceutical companies. However, from a policy point of view, systematic
recourse to compulsory licensing is not a sustainable approach.

First, it may become an easy excuse for governments not to take their
responsibilities  in setting up efficient reimbursement mechanisms for
health expenses, or not to negotiate lower prices with the manufacturers.

Secondly, it would eventually be detrimental to the innovation and the
development of new medicines.

This is why we have encouraged the Thai authorities to engage in direct
discussions with the manufacturers. I believe the latter also have to show
some flexibility - with a view to establishing a long term and effective
partnership to the benefit of the populations in need.


Alexandra Heumber
EU Advocacy Liaison Officer
M=E9decins Sans Fronti=E8res
Access to Essential Medicines Campaign
Rue Dupr=E9, 94. 1090 Brussels
++32 (0) 2 474 75 09 (Dir off)
++ 32 (0) 479 514 900 (Mob)
++ 32 (0) 2 474 75 75 (Fax)