WTO TRIPs Council extends ratification deadline

Published: 29-Oct-2007

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has extended until December 2009 the deadline for member countries accepting the deal liberalising global trade rules as regards pharmaceutical patents in developing countries.


The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has extended until December 2009 the deadline for member countries accepting the deal liberalising global trade rules as regards pharmaceutical patents in developing countries.

WTO members have been slow to ratify the agreement: only 11 having done so, whereas two-thirds of the 151 members must do so for it to come into force.

The two-year postponement by the Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council does not affect the rights and duties of member countries over generic licensing, however - a temporary waiver from standard WTO rules mirroring the permanent deal remains until formal ratification takes place.

You may also like