Zero duty proposal gives hope to developing countries

Published: 20-Oct-2006

World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general Pascal Lamy has welcomed a proposal from the US and Switzerland to expand the group of countries charging no import duties on medicine imports.


World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general Pascal Lamy has welcomed a proposal from the US and Switzerland to expand the group of countries charging no import duties on medicine imports.

Speaking to the Assembly of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, Lamy regretted the summer suspension of the WTO Doha round, but claimed WTO initiatives on generic medicines and this zero-duty initiative was having an effect.

Expanding the world's medicine free trade bloc 'can reduce the cost of healthcare through the substantial elimination or reduction of tariffs and specific non-tariff barriers affecting the trade in medicines', stressed the WTO head.

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