[Ip-health] PhRMA 2009 Special 301 Submission

[Judit Rius Sanjuan]

This week PhRMA announced their 2009 Special 301 Submission to the
USTR. See press release below. The submission is not online yet but we
have obtained an electronic copy. IP-health does not accept
attachments, so contact me if you would like one.


http://www.phrma.org/news_room/press_releases/phrma_301_submission_supports=
_global_intellectual_property_priorities/

Press Release
PhRMA Special 301 Submission Supports Global Intellectual Property
Priorities

Washington, D.C. (February 17, 2009) =97 Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) President and CEO Billy Tauzin issued
the following statement regarding PhRMA=92s 2009 Special 301 submission,
which outlines global intellectual property priorities:

=93The Special 301 process is an important part of the Administration=92s
efforts to strengthen intellectual property laws and enforcement
around the world. Intellectual property protection is vital to
creating the incentives essential to spurring the research and
development of new medicines. PhRMA and its members appreciate efforts
to help patients access new medicines that improve health outcomes.

=93PhRMA=92s Special 301 submission identifies specific countries that
need to improve intellectual property protection and enforcement for
pharmaceutical products or that maintain market access barriers which
subvert intellectual property protection. Our submission emphasizes
counterfeiting problems that present public health concerns both in
the United States and around the world. The increasing prevalence of
counterfeit medicines demands an aggressive, coordinated response
among all U.S. trading partners.

=93In addition to seeking improvements in global IP protection, our
submission addresses other market access barriers to innovative
medicines. These foreign market access barriers have the long-term
impact of harming American citizens by costing American jobs and
undermining sustainable innovation.

=93America=92s pharmaceutical research companies are a cornerstone of our
high-tech business sector and one of the most significant knowledge-
intensive enterprises in the U.S. economy. PhRMA member companies=92
research and development efforts contribute dramatically to the health
of the U.S. economy but depend on continued innovation and market
access for increased growth.

=93A worldwide respect for intellectual property is necessary in order
to transfer new innovations and discoveries into products we can all
use. When other countries fail to protect innovation, it affects the
lives of not only Americans but ultimately patients around the globe.
Patients around the world are waiting for the more than 2,000 new
medicines currently in development by PhRMA member companies."


Judit Rius Sanjuan
Attorney
Knowledge Ecology International / Essential Information
www.keionline.org / www.cptech.org
Phone: +1.202 332 2670, ext 18