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medicines

Intellectual property, bilateral agreements and sustainable development: A strategy note
20-Apr-2007 CIEL
This paper addresses the main threats of the intellectual property chapters in the bilateral and regional agreements with the US for access to medicines, give an overview of the reactions from different sectors to these agreements, and outline some strategic considerations for future action.
FTA: Malaysia imposes terms on data exclusivity for US pharmaceuticals
20-Apr-2007
Malaysia has set some conditions in agreeing to the U.S. request for data exclusivity (DE) for new pharmaceutical products in the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said today.
Trade pact risks environment, public health
3-Apr-2007 Korea Times
For the past few years, the backers and denouncers of a free trade accord between Korea and the United States have feuded like the Montagues and Capulets. Not surprisingly, the two camps are still polarized on whether the trade pact bringing together the world’s largest and 10th largest economies is destined to be a happy marriage or Shakespearean tragedy.
’Jamu’ makers get ready for AFTA by standardising products
30-Mar-2007
‘Jamu’ or medicinal herb tonic producers in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region are making efforts to standardize their commodities in the face of the advent of the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA), an Indonesian jamu businessman said.
Colombian study on impact of US FTA on medicine
12-Mar-2007 FTA Malaysia
This is an English translation of a full study done in Colombia of the impacts of its US free trade agreement (FTA) on medicine consumption and the Colombian generic industry. The study study used the World Health Organization’s methodology.
Facts and evidences on the 10 burning issues related to the government use of patents on three patented essential drugs in Thailand
7-Mar-2007
The recent decisions of the Thai Ministry of Public Health to announce the Government Use of Patents on three patented drugs, i.e., Efavirenz (Stocrin®) of Merck Sharp and Dohme), Lopinavir+Ritonavir (Kaletra®) of Abbott Laboratory) and Clopidogrel (Plavix®) of Sanofi-Aventis), based on proposals from the National Health Security Office, have raised several questions among the public and also the concerned partners as well as the pharmaceutical industries, both in the country and internationally.
SAFTA could increase drug trafficking in region: INCB
4-Mar-2007 Daily Times
A negative fallout of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement could be an increase in the narcotic traffic in the region, said Dr MM Bhatnagar, member of the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB).
High standards of IP protection in MUFTA attracts FDI
3-Mar-2007
Malaysia is currently in negotiations with the United States for a Free Trade Agreement (MUFTA) which is expected to ease the way for attracting more foreign direct investment to Malaysia. Amongst the issues being negotiated is the strengthening of intellectual property rights (IPR) in Malaysia.
Too big a price to pay for an FTA
1-Mar-2007 New Straits Times
Letter from the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries contesting the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce’s claim that that the country’s generic medicine manufacturers will do better if the Malaysia-US free trade agreement is signed.
Entering into a dangerous battle
24-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
The military-installed Thai government is entering into a risky new battle with farmer’s groups and the anti-FTA movement by pressing ahead with the Thai-Japan free trade agreement. Thousands of farmers, environmental activists and medical patients now plan to stage a mass protest next month against the government’s pro-FTA policy.
Coup-installed govt seeks Japan’s approval via rushed trade pact
24-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
Despite an earlier announcement that all signing and negotiating of free trade agreements would be halted, the government of Gen Surayud Chulanont bit its tongue yet again, with the issuing of a cabinet resolution on Feb 20 stating its readiness to go ahead with the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA).
KoA No FTA Newsletter #2
15-Feb-2007 KoA
Farmers release animals in protest, 500 attend all-night vigil; KoA protest delegation holds all-night vigil, congressional briefing in DC; Limiting access to healthcare: FTA and pharmaceuticals
Malaysia Attorney-General defends generic medicines before UN rights body
6-Feb-2007 3D
Malaysia’s Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani has publicly stated his country’s stand "that generic drugs should not be restricted in any manner". Implying that a US-Malaysia FTA could result in more expensive drugs, he said that Malaysia is not going to negotiate on this issue, and added “we are providing the drugs for free.”
FTA kills! Stop negotiations with USA now!
12-Jan-2007 bangkit.net
It was an uncommon sight at the Bangunan Rawatan Utama, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre this morning, when 30-over anti US-Malaysia FTA coalition members suddenly gathered holding banners and placards at the outpatient unit lobby.
Oriental medical doctors resist FTA
18-Dec-2006 Korea Herald
Seoul’s move to open its market for oriental medicine has set off a fierce protest from local doctors who are concerned about increased competition in an already saturated market.
Harmonisation of TRIPS-plus IPR policies and potential impacts on technological capability: A case study of the pharmaceutical industry in Thailand
14-Dec-2006 ICTSD
This study examines the impacts of TRIPS-plus rules on pharmaceutical patents as enshrined in US FTAs by looking at the case of Thailand.
Fears FTA brings in contaminated blood
13-Dec-2006 News.com.au
Road crash victims and haemophiliacs were at risk of contracting blood-borne diseases such as HIV under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA), an academic warned today.
US advises developing country FTA partners not to follow WHO IP plan
12-Dec-2006 IP Watch
Developing countries that have free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States received an email in the form of a “démarche” from the US government before the 4-8 December 2006 meeting of the WHO Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights saying that it had become apparent that the WHO was trying to go beyond its competency and address issues which could have impact on the scope and effect of FTAs.
Free trade deal may fast track nanotech
30-Nov-2006 ABC
Australia may be forced to rush through inadequately tested and unsafe medical nanotherapies because of its free trade agreement with the US, a health technology regulation expert says.
CPTech hosts post-election FTA strategy session
24-Nov-2006 CPTech
Last Thursday at CPTech a packed audience and 8 panelists discussed strategies for addressing the access to medicine implications of bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) between the US and other countries.