115. The representative of the United States recalled its strong support for the system established under the Decision as one element in what had to be a multi faceted international approach to improve responses to serious health crises in developing countries. At the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, it had become the first Member to formally accept this solution as a permanent part of the TRIPS Agreement. It was important to note, however, that the number of compulsory licences issued should not be the mark of success or failure of the amendment. Rather than being a reflection of the practicability of the system, its limited use indicated the increased access to pharmaceuticals by countries with little or no pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. Her delegation would continue to carry forward as a foremost contributor of pharmaceutical vaccine and diagnostic aid to countries in need. This was demonstrated notably by the US President's Global Health Initiative, which aimed to raise 63 billion dollars over the next six years to focus on broad global health challenges, as well as President Obama's decision to make 10 per cent of the US H1N1 vaccine supply available to the World Health Organization for use in developing countries. Her delegation was thus joining Australia, Brazil, Switzerland, New Zealand, Italy, France, Norway, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, which had either donated vaccines or funded their purchase. She supported the extension of the period for acceptance of the Protocol until 2011 and hoped to see the amendment enter into force as soon as possible.
