We ask to stop trading away PLWHA's lives!
Apskatīt komentārus (0)


03.11.2010

Nr. 4/6.1- 297
November 3, 2010
                                                                                       
We write to demand to stop current negotiations between India and the European Union (EU) – negotiations that are clearly targeted toward industry and profit in the name of free trade over the human rights.
We are outraged and extremely concerned about the push for a high(er) level protection of intellectual property right provisions in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), particularly because the provisions are truly beyond the international legal requirements of the World Trade Organization TRIPS agreement on intellectual property rights – effectively a violation of WTO rules and the principle of universal access to medicines. The pursuit of such provisions demonstrates a total disregard for the millions of patients across the globe who are currently dependent on generic medications from India. Disruption to treatment regimes will cause irreparable damage that will accelerate drug resistance, an emerging issue that is already compromised by TRIPS Plus patent provisions which limit access to 2nd and 3rd line treatment due to prohibitively high prices maintained by pharmaceutical monopolies.
The EU push to enter into a TRIPS-Plus FTA also undermines India’s right to protect the public health and interests of its citizens. Public health safeguards adopted by the Indian government have enabled an environment to produce and export cheap, generic versions of drugs that were otherwise unaffordable, supplying over 80%  life saving treatments to people living with HIV across the globe.
We demand the EU halt their shameful and aggressive trade agenda in order to guarantee that the Indian generic industry is able to continue its essential role in supplying low-cost, quality assured generic medicines. There is no compromise that will NOT infringe on the right to health nor prevent the disturbingly devastating consequences on the lives of millions of people in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
WE ASK TO STOP TRADING AWAY THEIR LIVES!
Sincerely,
Society "Association HIV.LV"