§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will encourage pharmaceutical companies (1) to make antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV more affordable; [37843]
(2) to allow non-exclusive voluntary licences to be made available for generic antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV. [37847]
§ Clare ShortThe Working Group on Access to Medicines, which I chair and which brings together UK Government, pharmaceuticals and others is looking at options for bringing about widespread, sustainable and predictable differential pricing of medicines for the poor, including antiretrovirals. We are encouraging key partners—pharmaceutical industry, developing countries, donors, and international organisations—to play their part in bringing this about.
Officials from the Working Group are currently considering what detailed arrangements to recommend, including a consideration of non-exclusive voluntary licensing of antiretrovirals and other drugs. The Working Group will have a final meeting on this issue in May. It will give a progress report and make recommendations to the Prime Minister.
In order to protect incentives for future research and development, any new arrangements would need to be consistent with the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and the Doha declaration on trade and public health.