Doris-Ann is a member of the Life Science Trade Advisory Group, which was set up by the Dept of International Trade to advise on export issues. This role is covered by an NDA with HMG so much of what is discussed and briefings given are covered by confidentiality.
This week there have been a couple of meetings related to the WTO Ministerial Conference (30 Nov – 3 Dec) in Geneva which will be chaired by Kazakhstan. There was a general briefing from the Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the WHO and other international organisations, including Simon Manley who is based in Geneva and Anne-Marie Trevelyan is the Minister attending next week’s conference.
There was also a specific life science meeting on the issue of the TRIPS waiver where UK life sciences gave a united view that the UK must hold firm on retaining TRIPS and it would be very damaging to the UK life science industry if the waiver is agreed. TRIPS covers diagnostics as well as pharmaceuticals and drugs. (TRIPS = Trade-Related aspects of International Property Rights was agreed at the WTO and has been in force since 1 January 1995).
