[e-drug] TRIPS-plus IP rules in the US-Jordan FTA

["Elizabeth Wabuge" <Elizabeth.Wabuge@oxfaminternational.org>]

E_DRUG: TRIPS-plus IP rules in the US-Jordan FTA
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Dear All,

Below is a link to a new Oxfam briefing paper: 'All costs, no benefits: How TRIPS-plus intellectual property rules in the US-Jordan FTA affect access to medicines'.  The paper explains how TRIPS plus rules in the US-Jordan FTA have increased medicine prices in Jordan, and examines whether there have been any benefits to introducing stricter levels of intellectual property protection (TRIPS plus rules) since 2001.

http://www.oxfam.org/en/policy/briefingpapers/bp102_jordan_us_fta

The paper shows how the USA continues to impose TRIPS-plus 
rules on developing countries, thus preventing poor people from accessing 
inexpensive, generic medicines. Jordan was required under the terms of its 
WTO accession package and its free trade agreement (FTA) with the USA to 
introduce TRIPS-plus rules. Medicine prices have increased drastically, 
and TRIPS-plus rules were partly responsible for this increase. 

Furthermore, stricter levels of intellectual property protection have 
conferred few benefits with respect to foreign direct investment, domestic 
research and development, or accelerating introduction of new, effective 
medicines. Medicine prices will continue to rise in Jordan, but the 
country will be unable to use TRIPS safeguards to reduce their cost. Other 
developing countries implementing or considering FTAs with TRIPS-plus 
rules should consider the consequences for public health.

http://www.oxfam.org/en/policy/briefingpapers/bp102_jordan_us_fta

Please feel free to circulate.

Best wishes

Elizabeth Wabuge
Oxfam International Trade Coordinator
OXFAM International
15, rue des Savoises
1205 Geneve
++41 (0) 22 321 7517(w) 
++41 (0) 22 321 27 53(fax) 
++41 (0) 765936046 (mobile)
Elizabeth Wabuge <Elizabeth.Wabuge@oxfaminternational.org>