108. The representative of the European Communities recalled that Regulation (EC) No 816/2006 had been adopted in 2006 to implement the Decision. This allowed European companies to produce generic drugs under compulsory licences for export to countries facing public health problems. His delegation would welcome any request from developing countries in view of the use of the system. In November 2007, the European Communities had also accepted the Protocol. Given the present status of acceptances, he encouraged those Members who had not yet accepted the Protocol to do so as soon as possible. It was important for Members to confirm their commitment to this process, so that the Protocol could enter into force as soon as possible. Concurring with the Swiss delegation, he noted the contradiction between the urgency felt in 2003 to put the system into place and the still limited number of acceptances. He supported the extension of the period for the acceptance of the Protocol until the end of 2011.
