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IP law ‘unbalanced’ say MPs Three UK Members of Parliament have joined calls by HIV/AIDS campaigners advocating for a change in Patent Law. This follows remarks by charity groups dismissing the St. Petersburg G8 declaration to increase protection on Intellectual Property law. www.oxfam.org.uk /www.msf.org Labour MP Anne Snelgrove said there was a need to balance keeping the pressure on drug companies to fight disease in Africa and the need for those companies to stay financially viable. The MP said she was engaged in talks with Kenyan politicians regarding the controversial [IP] rules. She said 12 million children had been orphaned by AIDS in Africa and warned that if Britain fails to meet the 2010 target, that number could rise by another 50 per cent. Said Ms Snelgrove: “I agree the right balance has not been struck, I am still in contact with those Kenyan politicians and I will represent their views on the matter to Gordon Brown. We have to involve Kenya in this process.” Stafford MP David Kidney joined the two parliamentarians in calling on the Chancellor to meet the 2010 target. He said: “I trust Gordon Brown to do this as Prime Minister and of course our own country is still on target to meet the national commitments we have made.” Echoing the views of the other legislators, Conservative’s Michael Howard said protecting Patent law was proving to be a difficult challenge. Almost half of the people living in poor economies who are on ARV treatment rely on generic versions of more expensive Patented drugs. |
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