Brussels, 03/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - The generic medicine industry has called on European decision-makers to put the recent proposals made on allowing developing countries access to essential medicines, into action. In an open letter to Commissioner Pascal Lamy, dated last Wednesday, the European Association of Generic Medicines (EGM) stated that this would help the Union position itself as a leader and undertake effective action. The EGM puts particular emphasis on: the regulation proposed on 30 October by the European Commission to prevent exports of medicines destined to LDC from being sent to the Union; the amendment adopted by the European Parliament on the draft directive on medicinal products for human use; interpretation of Article 30 of the Multilateral Agreement on intellectual property rights linked to trade (TRIPS). The Association argues that this is, "the only practicable way of going forward" insofar as this measure and approach does not require any amendment to TRIPS or the creation of a complicated export or trade licence system, which would have been the case with the second option. The EGM also claims that the three measures respect all the rights of the patent holders and protects their interests without impacting on their European commercial activities.