The World Trade Organization’s agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has established common minimum standards of patent protection across the globe. Countries had different transition periods to adapt to international rules according to their level of development. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) had an extended period to start applying TRIPS and patent protection in general (by 2021), with a further extension specifically for pharmaceuticals (2033). With the general transition period coming to an end and some countries ceasing to be in the LDC category, how can national TRIPS implementation be done in a manner protective of innovation and access to medicines? Using the case study of Bangladesh, Dr. Monirul Azam will present a plan of action developed to guide countries in their national implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, identifying legal, technical and infrastructural changes required. He will offer specific policy recommendations to comply with international stipulations while still maintaining policies for the development of local industry and integrating long-term innovation and access objectives. Sangeeta Shashikant will then discuss the pharmaceutical transition period and its implications for innovation and access to medicines both within LDCs and globally.

Speakers

• Monirul Azam, Associate professor in Law, Södertörn University and Adjunct faculty in Intellectual Property Law, Stockholm University
• Sangeeta Shashikant, Coordinator, Development and Intellectual Property Programme, Third World Network
• Moderated by Marcela Vieira, Project Coordinator of the Knowledge Network for Innovation and Access to Medicines, Global Health Centre

Event Materials

• Monirul Azam (2016) Intellectual Property and Public Health in the Developing World. Chapter 5: Has the TRIPS Waiver Helped the Least Developed Countries Progress Towards Innovation and Compliance?, Open Book Publishers.
• Biographies of Speakers
• Presentation by Monirul Azam
• Presentation by Sangeeta Shashikant
• Q&A Session with the Participants