07/02/07 - Emphasizes pharmaceutical industry is part of the solution; Urges more dialogue

Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan, has apoligized to the Government of Thailand. In a letter dated February 7th, she wrote her remarks were "misrepresented in the media". Dr. Chan added that "the decision of the Royal Thai government to issue compulsory licenses, (...) is entirely the prerogative of the government, and fully in line with the TRIPS agreement.

Dr. Chan complemented Thailand on its efforts to bring health care to all their citizens, while trying to control rising health care costs. Dr. Chan stated: "WHO unequivocally supports the use by developing countries of the flexibilities within the TRIPS agreement that ensure access to affordable, high quality drugs. This includes the use of compulsory licensing, as described in paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS agreement and Public Health. The decision whether to issue a compulsory license for a pharmaceutical product is a national one. There is no requirement for countries to negotiate with patent holders before issuing a compulsory license."

Reitterating her committment to a dialogue with the pharmaceutical industry - generic manufacturers and R&D companies, Dr. Margaret Chan stated these are "part of the solution." In the vision of Chan "(...) We need to ensure the right balance between the immediate and urgent pressing need to provide affordable medicines to the many that need them, and the need to provide continuous incentives for innovation."

In conclusion Dr. Chan's letter states: "Where there are urgent needs, the bottom line is that people need access to medicines."