[Pharm-policy] TACD Statement on access to medicines at EU-US summit

[James Love]

This is from the TACD statement delivered at the EU-US summit in
Lisbon.  Apparently the section on the WTO working group on access to
medicines was not included, due to an editing and production mistake,
which is quite unfortunate.  Here are the relevant sections for
medicines:

http://www.tacd.org/statsum2000.html

"Regarding the problem of access to medecines in developing countries,
the TACD strongly recommends that the United States and European Union
governments review trade policies to ensure that developing countries do
not face trade-related barriers for access to essential medicines and
other medical technologies.

This recommendation applies in particular to the HIV/AIDs epidemic and
the spread of other infectious diseases , which is one of the topics of
discussion at the Summit. The TACD appreciates the recent US government
efforts to lift trade restrictions on AIDS drugs and allow developing
countries more leeway in pursuing less expensive medicines. 

However, this should only be the beginning.  For the millions of HIV
infected poor persons, it is essential to push for the lowest cost
production of essential medicines.  The EU and the US should give the
World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS the political support they
need to coordinate a global effort to solve the logistical and legal
problems that stand in the way of the least expensive supply of needed
medicines.  

TACD reiterates its backing of the World Health Assembly (WHA) Revised
Drug Strategy, EB103/4, which, among other things, calls upon member
countries to ensure that public health interests are paramount in
pharmaceutical and health policies. The Drug Strategy also calls upon
members to explore and review their options under relevant international
agreements, including trade agreements, to safeguard access to essential 
drugs.

The TACD asks the United States and the European Union report back to
the TACD on the steps taken to implement the WHA Revised Drug Strategy
in trade policy."

---------------------------------
Jamie Love
http://www.cptech.org/jamie