116. The representative of Ecuador supported the proposed extension of the period for acceptance of the Protocol. However, the fact that the system had only been used once so far and that only 26 of the 153 WTO Members had ratified it raised questions regarding its effectiveness. This called for a thorough examination of the system and what needed to be done to improve its functioning. Flexibilities available to developing countries within the framework of the TRIPS Agreement to address public health problems needed to be looked at. He supported the proposal by Egypt to carry out a review of the system. Questions that needed to be taken up included why the system had not functioned as it was meant to, what aspects of public health in developing countries should be considered, and whether the low number of acceptances of the Protocol was a reflection of the fact that the objective had not been met, indicating that the mechanism was not functioning effectively. Based on the periodic review of the system, the Chair should start a study of its effectiveness to address the needs of developing countries.
