LDCs Agree To Shorter Extension For TRIPS Implementation 29/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Least-developed members of the World Trade Organization on 29 November agreed to extend the transition period for implementing the WTO agreement on intellectual property rights by seven and a half years, a reduction by half of their original request. In addition, least developed countries agreed not to roll back on their commitments, and to individual […]
IP Experts Discuss Access To Pharmaceuticals In Developing Countries 27/11/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Bern, Switzerland – A day-long conference of experts on health issues demonstrated the range of views in the debate on how developing countries should best address their public health needs through international policies. Dominique Sprumont of the University of Neuchâtel institut de droit de la santé, said the global push to arrange access to Tamiflu […]
Chances Diminish For Solution On TRIPS And Public Health Before Hong Kong 22/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Key officials in Geneva indicate that World Trade Organization members are not likely to find a compromise on a permanent amendment to global trade rules in order to allow poor countries to import affordable medicines in time for the December WTO ministerial in Hong Kong. There is no formal deadline for items to be included […]
Gilead Ends Patent Dispute With Roche Over Tamiflu 16/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The US biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences has ended its dispute with the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche regarding the right to the anti-influenza drug, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) “in the interest of working together to address public health needs,” Gilead announced today. Tamiflu is widely sought for use against the potential spread of avian influenza in humans. The […]
Nigeria Calls For Convention Against Counterfeit Medicines 16/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Lyon, France—Calling counterfeit medicines a “form of terrorism against public health,” a senior Nigerian health official urged a 14-15 November international conference in Lyon, France to support the adoption of an international convention to fight the problem. “I urge this conference [to adopt an] an international convention on counterfeiting of pharmaceuticals,” said Dora Akunyili, director […]
Consumers Misled In Tamiflu Debate, Workshop Argues 14/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Consumers worldwide are being left in the dark as to governments’ stockpiles in case of an avian influenza pandemic, and the pharmaceutical industry has been unclear about the medicine supplies available, concluded an intellectual property right panel in Geneva recently. But the industry says it has its priorities in the right place. Neither the European […]
Workshop Highlights IP Hindrances For Avian Flu Drug Stockpiles 14/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Panelists at a Geneva workshop on intellectual property issues related to a possible avian influenza pandemic argued that IP rules and prices could make it difficult for nations to prepare sufficient stockpiles. Panelists argued that practical problems could arise with the application of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights […]
WHO: Patents Won’t Block Access To Avian Flu Medicines 10/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Organisation does not think patents will stand in the way of an effective public health action in the event of an outbreak of avian flu in humans because pharmaceutical companies have showed a willingness to co-operate, a senior UN official said on 9 November. Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general’s representative for pandemic […]
Global Focus Emerges On Avian Flu 08/11/2005 by Tove Iren S. Gerhardsen for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Strategy for a possible outbreak of avian flu has been elevated from a national to an international level with a high-level meeting on a “plan of action” being held this week at the World Health Organisation. Intellectual property rights are on the agenda, but the focus during the first day and a half was bio-security […]
Pandemic Fears Raise Questions About WTO Health Waiver Opt-Out 27/10/2005 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As nations prepare for a possible avian flu pandemic, some observers are raising questions about a seemingly obscure footnote in international trade law under which dozens of governments have agreed not to import cheap generic drugs made for poor countries. The concern is that the provision could make it difficult for those developed countries to […]