US Drug Industry Wary of Efforts to Weaken Patents.(US drug industry worried its patents could be put in jeopardy by global effort to make pharmaceuticals more widely available in developing countries)

Chemical Market Reporter, May, 1998

AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT to make pharmaceuticals more widely available in developing countries is raising concern in the US drug industry that protection for its valuable patents could be in jeopardy. The World Health Organization (WHO) (WHO) is considering a resolution that would urge its 191 member nations to loosen patent protections on drugs.

Such action could undo patent safeguards developed by the World Trade Organization(WTO). Although WHO has no authority to change international laws, US trade officials and drug industry groups say the resolution could cost American firms billions of dollars by encouraging nations such as Argentina and India to suspend their patent protection obligations. The WHO executive board recommends that its members "ensure...

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