[Pharm-policy] More of Israel Parallel Import dispute

[James Love]

Here is another article about the Israel dispute involving parallel
imports.  This story suggests there may be some additional problems. 
The article also indicates that in addition to pressure from the US
government, unnamed European Union governments have also been active.  
Apparently the big pharmaceutical companies are telling Israel it will
face economic sanctions if it permits parallel imports.  Whatever the US
and the EU do in response to the Israel action will be watched by other
countries.  Jamie


http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?id=80002&wordd=parallel&mador=14&se=true&datee=05/31/00

Wednesday, May 31, 2000

Beilin holds off approving new rules for drug imports

By Haim Shadmi
                                                          
Ha'aretz Correspondent

                                                          
Justice Minister Yossi Beilin has approved Health Minister Shlomo
Benizri's signature on the regulations allowing "parallel"
imports of drugs to Israel. However, Beilin has still not
approved the regulations themselves; his signature is needed
before the regulations may take effect.

Amir Abramovitz, Beilin's adviser, said Beilin and Benizri met
early this week to agree to publicize the regulations, which will
take effect this September 1. Beilin was said to have been
surprised by Benizri's decision to approve the regulations, and
he and the Justice Ministry were allegedly opposed to the
regulations.
                                                          
Parallel imports would allow the importation of drugs from a
variety of suppliers, not necessarily the original manufacturers
of the drugs. In February 1999 the Knesset passed a law
permitting such imports, but since then the law has been put on
hold until the import regulations were published.

The ministries of health, finance, justice and industry and trade
have been under heavy pressure from foreign pharmaceutical
companies, the United States and various European governments not
to publish the regulations.
                      
The U.S. estimates that it stands to lose $100 million annually
and claims that the new law legitimizes violations of
intellectual property and patents belonging to drug companies.
Foreign pharmaceutical interests have threatened economic
sanctions on Israel if it commences parallel imports.

About three weeks ago, the nation's health maintenance
organizations appealed to the Supreme Court to force the
ministers of health, finance, and justice to allow the legally
sanctioned new import laws; the decision is to be reached next
week. Benizri's approval, however, will probably solve the
question of the appeal as well.



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James Love, Director           | http://www.cptech.org
Consumer Project on Technology | mailto:love@cptech.org 
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