65. The representative of Norway recalled that, at the Council's last meeting, he had presented Norway's amendments to its patent legislation to implement the Decision. These amendments had entered into force 1 June 2004 and had provided Norway with a fully operational legislative framework for the production of patented medicines for export under compulsory licences. Details of Norway's implementation could be found in the document IP/C/W/427 as well as in its notification under Article 63.2 TRIPS Agreement. He said that the threat to public health and economic development posed by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other epidemics was as serious today as it had been three years ago at the time of the adoption of the Doha Ministerial Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health. Therefore, the implementation of the Decision was a very important contribution, amongst other efforts, to provide access to affordable essential drugs against these diseases and Norway hoped that its implementation would induce other Members to follow suit.
