IP News

The United States recently dropped a key demand in the WTO drug talks, potentially making it easier for developing countries to have access to generic drugs. At the 2001 WTO meeting in Doha, Qatar, all of the WTO members agreed that public health concerns should override patent rights. While all members, including the United States, agreed to this proposal, a dispute had arisen over a draft declaration detailing how far patent rights may be avoided to allow some countries to copy patented drugs. The United States was concerned that the wording of the declaration would allow generic copies of “lifestyle” drugs such as Viagara, and would undermine innovation in some countries. The United States had insisted that the declaration include a list of specific diseases for which generic drugs would be permitted. This demand was resisted by the other WTO members. By dropping this demand, WTO officials hope that a final agreement will take place in September at the WTO meeting in Cancun, Mexico.