Minutes - TRIPS Council - View details of the intervention/statement

H.E. Ambassador Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter
14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PUBLIC INTEREST: BEYOND ACCESS TO MEDICINES AND MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES TOWARDS A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TRIPS FLEXIBILITIES

487.   Zimbabwe extends its appreciation to the delegation of South Africa for submission of the document IP/C/W/666 on "Intellectual Property and Public Interest: Beyond Access to Medicines and Medical Technologies Towards a more holistic approach to TRIPS flexibilities." 488.   Zimbabwe believes that the emergence of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) makes it incumbent upon us to re-invigorate the discussion on intellectual property and public health. The search for a COVID-19 vaccine and treatment is of utmost importance and it is necessary for Members to be cognisant of the limitations and exceptions open to them to ensure universal access to quality and affordable treatment once a suitable vaccine is found. 489.   Zimbabwe has noted that discussions on TRIPS flexibilities and access to medicines have largely delved on limitations and exceptions to patent rights. We are aware of the efforts by pharmaceutical companies to protect their medicines through trade secrets as opposed to patents. 490.   We have also noted the increased reliance by pharmaceutical companies on other forms of IP such as trademarks and industrial designs to protect medicines. Therefore, this proposal is essential for Members to fully explore the limitations and exceptions which are afforded by the TRIPS Agreement to the full spectrum of IP. 491.   We call upon all Members to support this very important proposal and look forward to participating in the ensuing discussions.

The Council took note of the statements made.
55.   The Chair said that this item had been put on the agenda at the request of South Africa. A communication concerning had been circulated in document IP/C/W/666. She invited South Africa to introduce the item.
56.   The representative of South Africa took the floor to introduce the item.
57.   The representatives of Nigeria; Indonesia; Chile; Tanzania, on behalf of the African Group; Colombia; China; Malaysia; Zimbabwe; India; Chinese Taipei; Canada; the United Kingdom; the European Union; Ecuador; Australia; Switzerland; the United States of America; Sri Lanka; Japan; and the WHO took the floor.
58.   The Council took note of the statements made.
IP/C/M/95, IP/C/M/95/Add.1