U.S. Opposes Permanently Exempting Poor Countries From Drug Patent Laws

Just days after the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact cut exclusivity protections for drugmakers outside the U.S., a proposal that would extend a waiver allowing poor countries to ignore drug patent laws is raising more ire.

The plan to extend the waiver for United Nations-designated least developed countries past its 2016 expiry has the support of the European Commission. It allows LDCs to produce drugs locally for treatments including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria without concern over patent lawsuits in other countries.

Bangladesh requested the permanent extension on behalf of the 48 LCDs. The World Trade Organization considered it last week at a meeting in Geneva.

Canada, Australia and Switzerland join the U.S. in opposing a permanent exemption. — John Bechtel