Developing states attack EU on generic drug seizure

By Jonathan Lynn

GENEVA (Reuters) - Developing countries accused the European Union on Monday of seeking to use tough intellectual property laws to seize generic drugs, putting lives at risk in emerging nations where the cheaper medicines are often destined.

At a meeting of the World Trade Organisation, Brazil and India criticised the European Union over an Indian generic drug to treat high blood pressure that was in seized late last year while transit in the Netherlands for Brazil.

Like many developing countries, Brazil argues that it can withhold intellectual property rights for a drug if there is an overriding public interest. High blood pressure is a leading cause of death in the South American country.

Brazil's WTO ambassador Roberto Azevedo told the WTO's General Council the case reflected a trend by industrialised countries to try and circumvent global trade rules by pushing tough intellectual property standards in other bodies, such as the World Customs Organisation and World Health Organisation.

The case touches on one of the most sensitive issues between rich and poor countries -- access to affordable medicine -- and has been cited by developing countries as an example of rising protectionism in the economic crisis.

"The decision to impede the transit of a cargo of generic medicines -- which was not headed for the Dutch market -- is unacceptable and sets a dangerous precedent," Brazil's WTO ambassador, Roberto Azevedo, told the WTO's General Council.

"Worse still, there are indications that this is not an isolated case," he said, according to a text of his remarks.