[afro-nets] WHO DG regrets her C-License statement

[Claudio Schuftan <claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn>]

WHO DG regrets her C-License statement
--------------------------------------
From: Martin Khor

Third World Network
http://www.twnside.org.sg

The WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan, has sent a letter to
Thailand's Health Minister expressing regret for the
embarrassment caused to his government by remarks she was
reported to have made in Bangkok that were critical of the
compulsory licenses granted by the government for three
medicines.

The letter follows the deep offence that Dr. Chan's comments had
caused the government and particularly the Minister of Public
Health.

Dr. Chan's reported comments had also caused outrage among
international health NGOs and grassroots health movements
worldwide, especially groups representing people living with
HIV-AIDS. More than 400 groups and individuals have sent her a
protest letter asking her to change her views.

In her letter, Dr. Chan assures the Health Minister that its
issuance of compulsory licenses is "entirely the prerogative of
the government, and fully in line with the TRIPS agreement",
that the WHO "unequivocally supports the use by developing
countries of the flexibilities within the TRIPS agreement",
including the use of compulsory licensing, and that "there is no
requirement for countries to negotiate with patent holders
before issuing a compulsory licence."

The Director General however repeats the main theme of her
speeches when she was in Bangkok recently, that the
multinational drug companies are "part of the solution" and that
it would be "pragmatic" for the government have prior
negotiations with them.