The 18th round of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement negotiations is taking place this week in Manila, Philippines. Health activists warn that Japan and South Korea are pushing for measures that go beyond international trade rules on intellectual property, including extending patent terms and data exclusivity in countries such as India, a primary source of cheaper generic medicines. Continue reading ->


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The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) has long been at the centre of global public health policy in Geneva, representing industry from around the world. Now at a critical moment of change in global policymaking, a new leader, Thomas Cueni of Switzerland, has taken over, starting in February 2017. Intellectual Property Watch recently sat down with him to discuss his views and vision going forward, and discovered his thoughtful pragmatism and diverse background which promise to open an ambitious new era for the association and global health policy. Continue reading ->


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According to many media this morning, citing anonymous sources, the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body has reached a decision in a dispute challenging Australia’s tobacco product plain packaging law. Australia appears to have won the case. The WTO is non-committal and says only a “confidential interim report” has been circulated. Australia is not commenting. Continue reading ->