Health Action International | January 2009

New Publication:

Health Protection in the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Andean Community

This new publication from Health Action International, Health Protection on the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Andean Community by Xavier Seuba, critically reviews the European proposals on Intellectual Property and discusses the impact they will have on access to essential medicines in the CAN countries. The publication also stands alone as a reference document on EU Trade Policy in relation to Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicines in general

The European Union (EU) and the countries of the Andean Community (CAN) are in the process of negotiating Trade Agreements. These agreements will include a chapter on intellectual property (IP) rights, which are highly controversial for public health as they pose barriers to access to essential medicines. IP provisions were one of the main reasons for the disagreements within the CAN and why negotiations are now proceeding bilaterally.

– download the new publication
– also available in Spanish

See also our policy brief on the negotiations with recommendations to the EU parliament.