A cure for high prices
The United States and the drug firms have been worsted over patents
JOSE SERRA, Brazil's health minister, this week took his battle against the United States and multinational drug firms over phamaceutical patents to the World Health Organisation's annual assembly in Geneva. At the assembly, which runs until May 22nd, Mr Serra was due to propose a vote condemning the use of trade agreements to obstruct poor countries' access to cheap medicines. This is aimed at the United States, which in January, at the multinationals' urging, complained to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) about Brazil's patent law. Brazil claims that the involvement of the WTO threatens the country's widely praised programme for the prevention and treatment of AIDS.
This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “A cure for high prices”
From the May 19th 2001 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from The Americas
Canada has adopted assisted dying faster than anywhere on Earth
The province of Quebec now allows those with deteriorating illnesses to request an assisted death in advance
Tether’s move to El Salvador is a win for President Nayib Bukele
Why the stablecoin firm has picked the Central American country for its headquarters
From Greenland to Panama and Mexico, leaders are in shock
As Donald Trump eyes fine new pieces of real estate in the Americas and beyond
Canada and America have been fighting about timber for 40 years
As Donald Trump takes office, the chances of a lumber deal look slim
Justin Trudeau steps down, leaving a wrecked party and a divided Canada
Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland are among those tipped as the next Liberal leader
Does made in Mexico mean made by China?
Donald Trump believes Mexico is a trojan horse for Chinese mercantilism