The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has concluded the first
amendment of its Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS),
just as the Canadian government has applauded the effort, saying it would
provide access to affordable medicines for developing countries, reports ITRealms.
The amendment to the agreement on intellectual property
entered into force on January 23, 2017; securing for developing countries a
legal pathway to access affordable medicines under WTO rules.
The WTO’s agreements currently are the result of
negotiations between the members, known as the 1986–94 Uruguay Round
negotiations, which included a major revision of the original General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
ITRealms reports that through these agreements, WTO members
operate what experts tagged “a non-discriminatory trading system” that spells
out their rights and their obligations with each country receiving guarantees
that its exports will be treated fairly and consistently in other countries’
markets, whereas promising to do same for imports into its own market.
The
system also gives developing countries some flexibility in implementing their
commitments.
Also, ITRealms gathered that the Intellectual property agreement
is the rules for trade in creativity industry, which amounts to rule for trade
and investment in ideas and creativity.
The rules state how copyrights,
patents, trademarks, geographical names used to identify products, industrial
designs, integrated circuit layout-designs and undisclosed information such as
trade secrets, otherwise known as “intellectual property” should be protected
when trade is involved.
Reacting to the latest and first amendment of TRIPS, the
Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, and
the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and
La Francophonie, in a joint statement on behalf of the Canadian government, noted
that the entry into force of the World Trade Organization’s amendment to the
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property is a
welcome development.
The agreement, Canada said, will provide a framework for
access to affordable medicines for developing countries, stressing that the
country would continue to promote a world where people care for one another and
to prioritize the health and wellness of the global community.
“Canada is pleased that this WTO amendment is now in force,”
they said, explaining that it supports the export of generic versions of
patented drugs to developing countries that lack the capacity to manufacture
needed medicines themselves.
Millions of people, Canada pointed out, have continued to
suffer from treatable conditions such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS, as
well as other epidemics, because they cannot access life-saving drugs.
With this WTO amendment, Canada said provides countries with
another tool to improve access to affordable medicines for those who need it
most.
“Canada welcomes this decision and hopes for a swift
implementation. This is also significant as it is the first time that a WTO
agreement has been amended,” part of the joint statement made available to
ITRealms read.
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