WHO welcomes drugs deal
2003-09-01 14:56
Johannesburg - World Health Organisation director-general Dr Jong-Wook Lee has welcomed an agreement reached over the weekend that will give poorer countries access to cheaper medicines.
He was speaking at the opening of a meeting of the WHO's Africa region in Johannesburg.
A settlement was reached by the World Trade Organisation in Geneva on Saturday allowing countries without manufacturing abilities to import generic versions of patented drugs from other states to assist in their fight against diseases like HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.
South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang described the agreement as a welcome piece of news.
"We are delighted at the progress that has been made. This will open up many new channels for sourcing cheaper medicines, particularly generics," she said.
"This is a vital human rights issue. The challenge for us now to promote regional co-operation on this issue and to integrate our strategies into Nepad (the New Partnership for Africa's Development)."
The meeting is set to continue until Friday.
- SAPA