National Workshop on Probable impacts of LDC Graduation on the Pharmaceutical Industry and Way Forward, 9 February 2020, Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Event details
Bangladesh is currently in the process of transitioning from the status of Least developed country (LDC) to a developing country, expected to be achieved by 2024. Least developed country (LDC) members of the WTO currently benefit from the transition period under the TRIPS Agreement for LDC members. During the transition period LDCs do not have to implement the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement except for Articles 3, 4 and 5 of TRIPS, which contain provisions pertaining to national treatment and the most favoured nation. This flexibility was given to LDCs in recognition of their special needs and requirements, the economic, financial and administrative constraints faced by LDCs as well as their need for more time to create a viable technological base. LDCs are not obliged with respect to pharmaceutical products, to provide patent protection and other relevant provisions in Sections 5 and 7 of Part II of the TRIPS Agreement or to enforce rights provided for under these Sections until 1 January 2033, or until such a date on which they cease to be a LDC, whichever date is earlier. This workshop will facilitate a discussion between the South Centre experts on the assessment report together with government officials from various ministries and stakeholders from the domestic pharmaceutical industry and non-governmental organizations.
Supporting Material
- Implementing Pro-Competitive Criteria for the Examination of Pharmaceutical Patents
- Tackling the Proliferation of Patents: How to avoid undue limitations to competition and the public domain
- Access to Medicines: Experiences with Compulsory Licenses and Government Use – The Case of Hepatitis C
- REGISTER HERE
- Programme
- (Report) The Loss of the LDC Transition Period for Pharmaceutical Products under the TRIPS Agreement upon LDC Graduation: Implications for Bangladesh
- Legal and policy options - TRIPS Transition period (Presentation) - by Nirmalya Syam
- Policy Measures to Support Access to Medicines (Presentation) by Nirmalya Syam
- Guidelines for the examination of pharmaceutical patents: developing a public health perspective