Project Description

Title: Implementation of WTO decisions on TRIPS public health in COMESA member states

Project Location: COMESA

The assignment served to promote access to pharmaceutical products in the COMESA region through regional production, trade in medicine, bulk purchasing and importation, and to develop a work program for utilizing the flexibilities in the TRIPS Agreement as amended by the Decision.

The project involved the review of investment regimes and IP laws vis-à-vis TRIPS flexibilities on access to medicine in the COMESA region, identification of incentives to increase investments, preparation of a sector strategy for the pharmaceutical sector in COMESA and the organization of a regional workshop on TRIPS and public health. The project provided recommendations on the way forward for the region.

The project was implemented in consortium with Cardno Emerging Markets, Belgium.