Brussels, 20/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) welcomed the agreement that arose on Thursday between the South African government and the forty-odd laboratories part of the court case aiming to prevent the enforcement of a law passed, according to them, in violations of the international rules protecting intellectual property (TRIPS agreement).
In a press release, the Director General of the EFPIA, Brian Ager, stated: "We are pleased to have reached a mutual agreement. The terms of the settlement meet the goals of both industry and the South African government and there is no doubt that the real winners are the South African patients who need the research, development - and delivery - of quality medicines and vaccines. The way is now clear for industry to work together with the government in addressing the healthcare needs of South Africa". The press releases reveals that the South African government confirmed that its new legislation would be implemented in accordance with the TRIPS agreement. Mr Ager, underlines that the pharmaceutical industry has already achieved significant progress in the provision of a large number of medicines aimed at fighting HIV and opportunist infections on the basis of individual decision taken by numerous companies, the prices have been considerably reduced, up to 90% in certain cases. "Governments of developed and developing countries share a common responsibility and must address the real obstacles to access - namely poverty/financing, lack of infrastructure, political will and education - over which the pharmaceutical industry has not control", asserts Mr Ager, who continues: "They must also prevent product diversion (void re-exporting of discounted products from developing countries back to developed countries' markets), fight counterfeiting and drug resistance, and ensure that quality medicines offered at substantially discounted prices now effectively reach the people in greatest need".