Developed nations have agreed to extend the waiver on pharmaceutical patents for least developed countries in WTO till January 2033, promising a positive impact on essential medicine prices in developing countries, where poverty and health problems are rampant. In 2001, developed countries had agreed to waive pharmaceutical patents for LDCs at a meeting in Doha, Qatar, till January 1, 2016. This year, Bangladesh has applied to the WTO for extension of the waiver as the pharmaceutical sector in LDCs happens to be backward compared to their developed counterparts.
Following the plea, a high level WTO meeting was held in October 29 in Geneva to discuss the issue. While Bangladeshi Ambassador Shammem Ahsan and Ugandan Ambassador Christopher Onyanga Aparr represented the LDCs in the meeting, US Ambassador Michel Punke represented the developed countries that decided to extend the waiver by 17 years.
“It's a milestone achievement for LDCs under the leadership of Bangladesh in WTO. People could buy medicines at reasonable prices following the waiver,” EquityBD Executive Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury told The Independent yesterday.
“At least 30 civil society organisations in Bangladesh and several likeminded groups in LDCs have been demanding for the waiver for a long time,” said Chowdhury, who led the civil society groups in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh wanted the patent waiver for LDCs to stay till the time of their graduation as developed countries. The US, however, opposed the clause and said the waiver should be for 10 years only. But the LDCs’ demand was unconditionally supported by developing countries, the EU, and various UN bodies and civil societies across the world.
Developed countries like Switzerland, the UK and the US are averse to
giving patent rights to other countries to serve the interests of their domestic companies.
Chowdhury said the latest agreement calls upon developed countries to provide patents and technology for the development of pharmaceutical factories in LDCs.
He expressed hope that the decision will be formally adopted in the WTO’s Council of the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) meeting on Friday.
The decision on the waiver will also have to be endorsed at the WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled for the end of this year in Nairobi.