EU to back extension of WTO medicine patent protection waiver for poorest countries
Bangladesh has requested that it is prolonged indefinitely
The European Union (EU) is expected to back a call by least-developed countries for an extension of their exemption from requirements to protect the patents of pharmaceuticals under the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPs) agreement. This right is due to expire on 1 January 2016, and Bangladesh, on behalf of other least-developed countries (LDCs) has requested that it be prolonged indefinitely. The UN recognises 48 such countries – 33 in Africa.
A note from the European Commission has suggested that the EU backs this extension, stating that the 'initiative…is coherent with the EU's global health policy…to keep essential medicines accessible and affordable…'.
It added that several WTO member governments 'appear ready to grant that indefinite extension and permanent waiver, and therefore the EU should join the consensus'.
The Commission wants the EU to back extending a temporary waiver if it is preferred by other WTO states.