US Trade Representative: Support the Use of Compulsory Licenses for Life-saving Drugs
Sign Now
We the undersigned insist that the US Trade Representative stop using punitive measures against countries that exercise their right to issue compulsory licenses for life-saving medications.
In China, thousands of people with HIV/AIDS are suffering from lack of treatment they need to survive. While the Chinese government provides free AIDS treatment to people with AIDS, many have developed resistance to the first line of AIDS medications, and second-line drugs are not included in the government program. People are dying.
The pharmaceutical companies that produce second-line treatment sell the medicines at prices far beyond the reach of rural people in China. Though the TRIPS provisions in the WTO allow developing countries to issue compulsory licenses and manufacture AIDS drugs domestically, China has so far not done so. Exercising this right is a necessary step for people living with HIV/AIDS in China and throughout the world to receive adequate treatment.
In the past, the U.S. has placed negative pressure on countries that issue compulsory licenses. Just last year, the U.S. Trade Representative under the Bush administration placed Thailand on a Priority Watch List because that country had issued compulsory licenses for AIDS drugs. President Obama has stated that he supports the rights of countries in the developing world to access quality generic medications under the WTO's TRIPS provisions.
We insist that U.S.T.R. Ron Kirk follow through on President Obamas statements and end the practice of penalizing countries for invoking their rights under the WTO. It's the humane thing to do.
In China, thousands of people with HIV/AIDS are suffering from lack of treatment they need to survive. While the Chinese government provides free AIDS treatment to people with AIDS, many have developed resistance to the first line of AIDS medications, and second-line drugs are not included in the government program. People are dying.
The pharmaceutical companies that produce second-line treatment sell the medicines at prices far beyond the reach of rural people in China. Though the TRIPS provisions in the WTO allow developing countries to issue compulsory licenses and manufacture AIDS drugs domestically, China has so far not done so. Exercising this right is a necessary step for people living with HIV/AIDS in China and throughout the world to receive adequate treatment.
In the past, the U.S. has placed negative pressure on countries that issue compulsory licenses. Just last year, the U.S. Trade Representative under the Bush administration placed Thailand on a Priority Watch List because that country had issued compulsory licenses for AIDS drugs. President Obama has stated that he supports the rights of countries in the developing world to access quality generic medications under the WTO's TRIPS provisions.
We insist that U.S.T.R. Ron Kirk follow through on President Obamas statements and end the practice of penalizing countries for invoking their rights under the WTO. It's the humane thing to do.
Sign The Petition
Continue with Google
OR
If you already have an account please sign in, otherwise register an account for free then sign the petition filling the fields below.
Email and password will be your account data, you will be able to sign other petitions after logging in.
Shoutbox
Goal
50 signatures
Goal: 100
Latest Signatures
17 December 2015
16 December 2015
9 September 2015
30 August 2015
6 August 2015
23 July 2015
26 May 2015
9 April 2015
8 April 2015
15 December 2014
23 October 2014
1 October 2014
7 September 2014
29 May 2014
22 May 2014
10 May 2014
17 April 2014
2 March 2014
22 February 2014
2 January 2014
24 October 2013
21 October 2013
6 August 2013
24 June 2013
10 April 2013
Tags
No tags
Embed Codes
direct link
link for html
link for forum without title
link for forum with title
