Office of the United States Trade Representative

 

Statement of U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick on TRIPS and access to medicines
Contact: Richard Mills/Ricardo Reyes (202) 395-3230 08/30/2003


"The issue of drug patents and access to medicines has been a top concern in the WTO for
the last few years.

"Striking the right balance between addressing the needs of the poorest countries while ensuring intellectual property protections that foster the future development of lifesaving drugs had eluded us. The United States, working with other WTO members and our pharmaceutical industry, has strived to bridge the many differences and sought to develop with others constructive ideas about how to move forward.

"I'm very pleased that today we've been able to strike this balance. The consensus now reached in the WTO is a big step forward, removing a major hurdle to a successful Ministerial in Cancun and the overall Doha negotiations.

"I want to compliment the U.S. Ambassador to the WTO, Ambassador Linnet Deily, who worked many hours with developing countries, without which this would never have been brought to conclusion. The United States government appreciates the cooperative leadership of the executives of the pharmaceutical companies who are committed to developing the medicines of the future while helping those most in need today.

"I encourage everyone to continue in the same spirit to open markets for farm products, and goods and services, so that we can truly fulfill the promise and ambitions of Doha and promote global development and growth."

 
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