In a related story carried in the List?n Diario, Infadom,
the pharmaceutical manufacturers? association, says that a free trade agreement
with the United States puts them at risk. Ostensibly, the manufacture of
pharmaceuticals is protected by Law 20-00, but the law has not been put into
effect because of pressures from the United States.
Infadom also complains that the current visit of the negotiating team marks the
fifth time the team has carried out talks on a possible FTA ? without once
consulting the local pharmaceutical industry.
Bloomberg news service reports that the US is imposing new conditions on poorer
countries before Washington allows them to produce generic drugs to fight AIDS,
malaria and other illnesses. This information comes from several international
aid agencies, including the well-reputed Oxfam organization. The US was the only
country to oppose an agreement to supply essential medicines to poor countries.
Washington says that overseas pharmaceutical companies could pass over the
medical patents held by companies like Pfizer and Merck for products that treat
obesity and baldness, as well as those products that treat the major diseases
affecting humankind today. M?decins sans Fronti?res and Third World Network have
joined in the complaint. The Coctelera column in today?s Hoy newspaper also
echoes Infadom?s point of view.