28. The representative of Egypt said that, in his view, the meaning of the term "pharmaceutical products" included medicines, active substances, diagnostic kits, and related technical equipment. He said that paragraph 1 of the Declaration was clearly not meant to be exclusive but only illustrative. With respect to eligibility to benefit from the envisaged solution, he said that any attempt to establish a clear-cut rigid classification of countries would be time-consuming and scientifically irrational as this capacity differed from one country to another and from one product to another. He said that each country should voluntarily decide for itself whether or not to be a part of the solution. Such a determination, he said, should not be a pre-solution requirement but a post-solution assessment by countries facing the type of crisis referred to in the Declaration. He said that the right of each government, particularly those that did not want to be beneficiaries, would be maintained as the consent of the country was required for issuing compulsory licences. Finally, he supported the statement made by Kenya on behalf of the African group.
