The Use of Flexibilities in TRIPS by Developing Countries: Can They Promot Access to Medicines?

This study has the objective to: 1) examine the extend to which the flexibilities contained in the WTO agreement on TRIPS have been incorporated into the legislation of developing countries and the extent of the actual use for public health purposes; 2) review the stated trade policies of major industrialized countries, particularly the US and the EU and3) examine the practical effect and implications of recently concluded bilateral and regional FTAs for public health protection in developing countries.