MSF Pharmacy Technician Toueng Sreymon distributes Hepatitis C meds at the MSF Hepatitis C clinic at Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 18, April 2017. Photograph by Todd Brown
Statement |

MSF submission to USTR 2020 Special 301 Report review process

The USTR called for comments from stakeholders for their 2020 Special 301 Report. The Special 301 Report is an annual report by the USTR that names countries on "watch lists" in line with its powerful pharmaceutical industry's demands that governments not make use of public health safeguards in intellectual property and regulatory laws.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND TRADE
United States of AmericaIndia
IP USTR 301 2020
Photograph by Todd Brown

On 6 February 2020, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) submitted comments to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for its 2020 Special 301 review process, raising concerns of the public health impact of this process. The Special 301 Report hampers the ability of countries to ensure the protection of public health and promotion of access to medicines.

MSF recommends that the USTR refrain from listing countries on the Special 301 "watch lists" for making use of safeguards available under the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Agreement to promote access to medicines.

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