[e-drug] Joint press statement MSF, Oxfam, and TWN

[Ingrid_COX@msf.org]

E-drug: Joint press statement MSF, Oxfam, and TWN
------------------------------------------------------------


Hello,

Thanks for posting the following press statement from MSF, Oxfam,
TWN released in time for the first day of the WTO ministerial 
Conference in Doha.

Ingrid Cox
Information Officer
Campaign for Access to Medicines
MSF Geneva

___________________________________________________

Oxfam International -  Medecins Sans Frontieres  - Third World
Network


Doha, 9 November 2001

Agreement on TRIPS and public health under threat

Rich countries blocking drug deal for poor countries

Agreement on patents and public health could make or break the
WTO?s meeting in Doha according to agencies Oxfam 
International, Medecins Sans Frontieres and Third World Network.

The United States government, supported by Japan, Switzerland 
And Canada, are obstructing developing countries attempts to 
Strengthen health safeguards in the WTO agreement on Trade 
Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

The European Union, which shares some of the concerns of 
Developing countries, has been attempting to broker a consensus 
among the WTO member states. The EU so far seems to be sitting 
on the fence. If it really wants to make a difference it has to decide 
whose side it is on.

"The proposals of developing countries have been largely ignored in
the draft declaration presented at Doha. Rich world and drug 
company lobbying in the WTO is treating the developing world with 
contempt.  Without a fundamental change in rich world attitudes to 
developing world views a meaningful deal will not be struck at Doha. 
The least this meeting should do is to endorse the key developing 
country demand that nothing in the TRIPS agreement shall prevent 
government from taking measures to protect public health", said 
Cecilia Oh, Third World Network.

"TRIPS and public health could be the deal that makes or breaks 
the Doha meeting. We had hoped that the issue of access to the 
patented anti-anthrax drug, Cipro, would make rich country 
governments more sensitive to the needs in developing countries. 
But the latest reports indicate that the US has not budged an inch", 
said Michael Bailey Senior Policy Advisor, Oxfam.

Some 14 million people die each year of preventable diseases. This
death toll could be reduced if low cost drugs were available but 
TRIPS will prevent poor countries buying low cost drugs. Patented 
drugs can cost up to 30 times more than low cost generic 
alternatives.

"Any meaningful declaration on public health and TRIPS should 
make it unambiguously clear that protecting the health and lives of 
people is more important than protecting the commercial interests of 
drug companies. If this meeting fails to act on TRIPS and public 
health it will become impossible for anyone to maintain the position 
that TRIPS is a balanced agreement." said Ellen 't Hoen, Medecins 
Sans Frontieres.

ENDS

For more information contacts in Doha:

Oxfam: Ian Bray +44 7799 606 987 or
Phil Twyford +44-7740 404487

MSF: Daniel Berman +41 7928 69649 or 
Ellen ?t Hoen +33 622 37 58 71

TWN: Cecilia Oh +6012 485 1951

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