A joint NGO statement on TRIPS and public health, titled "A ’gift’ bound in red tape" (see attachment) has been issued by 14 NGOs.
The statement says that "as a measure of trade policy, [the WTO deal on medicines] contradicts the basic principles of the WTO and free trade."
It also includes an explanatory list of the main problems with the rules, and finally, two clear demands:
"We call upon the WTO member countries to draft an amendment to the TRIPS that simplifies and clarifies the procedures and removes unnecessary obstacles to the export of medicines to address public health problems."
"We also call upon every country that does not have access to medicines for all to begin to use the TRIPS flexibilities, and the August 30, 2003 decision, to provide affordable medicines to the poor."
