Pfizer’s efforts to block Colombia’s accession to the OECD in 2017-2018

The following PDF file includes several email exchanges between Pfizer and USTR regarding Colombia’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Pfizer proposed several conditions it wanted Colombia to agree to before the US would withdraw objections… Continue Reading

Communications between Gilead and USTR regarding Malaysia compulsory license on HCV patents, 2017 to May 2018

The attached document is a 78 page PDF file obtained from USTR under the Freedom of Information Act (copy here), regarding communications between Gilead and USTR, over Malaysia’s decision to grant a compulsory license on patents for HCV treatments. This… Continue Reading

Comments on NIH Prospective Exclusive License on Diabetes Treatments

Update. NIH sent us a 147 word response on November 23, 2018: NIH to KEI regarding Ovensa 23 NOV 2018. The brief reply states that “Prior to posting notices of a proposed grant of exclusive commercialization licenses, the NIH determines… Continue Reading

TRIPS Council (November 2018): Statement of South Africa on Promoting Public Health Through Competition Law and Policy

On 9 November 2018, South Africa delivered the following statement on IP and competition policy at the WTO TRIPS Council under agenda item 13 on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest: Promoting Public Health Through Competition Law and Policy (an… Continue Reading

WTO TRIPS Council: South Africa asks WTO members to share best practices to address excessive prices

UPDATE: In November 2018, South Africa notified the WTO Secretariat that Brazil and India requested to co-sponsor this submission on Promoting Public Health Through Competition Law and Policy. On 29 October 2018, the World Trade Organization (WTO) published a submission… Continue Reading