WTO summit urged to ensure affordable access to life-saving drugs
5 November 2001

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is asking its 176 members worldwide to remind governments participating in the forthcoming WTO summit that "humanitarian concerns should prevail over commercial concerns" in discussions on how to improve access for the poor to life-saving drugs.

"The time is short but we have to do what we can to ensure that Government representatives discussing the launch of new global trade negotiations are aware that millions of lives are lost every year because of lack of affordable access to life-saving medicines," said Dr. Astrid N. Heiberg, President of the International Federation.

She is asking member National Societies to ensure that their Government representatives at the WTO summit in Qatar from November 9-13 next receive the key message of the International Federation's HIV/AIDS governance group on access to drugs which reads:

"Humanitarian concerns should prevail over commercial concerns and the present balance of resource allocation and pricing of drugs is unacceptable and needs to be re-designed as it does not allow access to care and treatment for the vast majority of people living with HIV/AIDS. This concern is relevant not only for HIV/AIDS patients but also for other major public health problems in developing countries (such as tuberculosis and malaria)."

The International Federation said the issue of affordable access to life-saving drugs was not one for HIV/AIDS patients only. The response to the anthrax threat has clearly illustrated this with negotiations taking place from positions of strength to drive down the price of patented medicine, and open debate about the suspension of patent rights in the face of a public health emergency.

There is an existing provision in the TRIPS agreement (WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) which, in theory, allows countries to suspend patents when they face national security or public health emergencies but there needs to be greater clarity about how this can be applied in a way which supports efforts by governments in the developing world to reduce the death toll from infectious disease. The International Federation is willing to support efforts to reach a solution.

The International Federation is already in dialogue with the pharmaceutical industry on this important issue. During the organisation's General Assembly which opens this week on November 7, there will be further debate on the issue by our member National Societies and other actors will participate, including the pharmaceutical industry through a senior representative.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Denis McClean, Head, Media Service Tel.: +41 22 730 4428/ + 41 79 217 3357

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.