WTO news: what’s been happening in the WTO
NOUVELLES: ALLOCUTIONS — DG MIKE MOORE

Genève, 19 avril 2001

Moore welcomes news of settlement of South Africa drug lawsuit

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization today welcomed news of the settlement achieved between the Government of South Africa and research-based pharmaceutical companies.

“The stakeholders should be congratulated. It is a win-win situation for all concerned,” said WTO Director-General Mike Moore.

“The settlement shows that the WTO’s Agreements, such as TRIPS, contain the necessary flexibility to meet the health needs of developing countries and can be used as a basis for resolving difficult issues concerning access to essential drugs.”

For more information on TRIPS and pharmaceuticals, see the TRIPS section of the website.