Peruvians protest TPP over generic drugs
20/05/2013 50
Most viewed articles
A protest was held in Lima, Peru, on Friday against a US proposal to extend patents on medicine under the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, free trade talks.
About 100 people gathered in front of the hotel where the 17th round of TPP negotiations is under way.
The protesters included HIV carriers and non-governmental people involved in medical care.
The US government is proposing to extend patents or increasing their scope to strengthen protection of drug firms' intellectual property rights.
The protesters said the proposal would make it hard for poor people to use generic drugs that are priced much lower than patented drugs after their patents expire.
One protestor said AIDS is a global issue, not just for Peru. She said poor patients will get into trouble if they are unable to obtain cheaper drugs.
The TPP negotiators are aiming to reach agreement before the end of the year, but apparently the talks are experiencing difficulties in such areas as intellectual property and abolition of tariffs.
May 18, 2013
Source: NHK
- Viet Nam updates preparations for negotiations to join Information Technology Agreement expansion
- How digital payments are reshaping a fast-growing digital banking market
- Green production zones to boost standing of Vietnamese farm products
- IMF to closely monitor China’s economic growth amid trade tensions
- Export growth key to Viet Nam’s double-digit economic expansion