Generic drugs talks stall for poor nations

Date: 11/10/01

By Laurence Frost

TALKS at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) aimed at resolving EU-US differences over international patents are no nearer to a breakthrough, ahead of a crucial meeting this weekend.

Discussions under way at the organisation's headquarters in Geneva are focusing on calls from developing countries for a relaxation of 'TRIPs' - trade-related intellectual property rights - to allow easier access to generic 'copies' of patented drugs.

The European Commission has angered industry by giving broad support to the poor nations' position. Backed by a US-led group of countries, the industry warns the move would weaken research into diseases that affect developing countries.

But a report from a leading medical charity suggests 'poor country diseases' are neglected in research. Médecins Sans Frontières said eight out of 11 top drug firms did no work on fatal diseases which mainly affect the poor.

• Plans continue for the WTO ministerial conference in Qatar (9-13 November) despite the strikes in Afghanistan, according to its director-general Mike Moore. His decision came as US trade officials abandoned their Geneva office this week over concerns for their safety.

Talks at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) aimed at resolving EU-US differences over international patents are no nearer to a breakthrough, ahead of a crucial meeting.