Nepal to support TRIPS protocol amendment

KATHMANDU:

Nepal will soon announce its support for amendment of Article 31 in the agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) — an international pact administered by World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The agreement deals with the issuance of compulsory licences for pharmaceutical patents by governments. It also bans the export of drugs manufactured in countries under the compulsory licensing (for pharmaceuticals) provision while registering the patent.

Of the 151 member countries at WTO, 80 have already supported amendment of this protocol, which was initially proposed by a group of developing nations led by India and Brazil citing the difficulties for developing countries and LDCs that relied on cheap imported medicines.

As per the provision of TRIPs, drugs manufactured under compulsory licence can be sold only in the domestic market. It is also a concern for the developed countries holding a majority of the patents. Two-third majority is required to amend the TRIPs protocol.

Toya Narayan Gyawali, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS), said, “We are preparing to send the proposal soon to the Cabinet.”

The WTO General Council adopted Protocol Amending TRIPS Agreement and opened it for acceptance by members on December 6, 2005. This Protocol is the first multilateral treaty amendment agreed by WTO members since WTO Agreement came into force in 1995.

Source:THT