In other words: A discussion of The Bush Administration
Bush accused of pressuring countries to stop producing generic drugs
Says Bush: "Cheaper drugs to treat diseases and prevent death? Where is the money in that?"
The United States has come under fire for pressuring developing countries to give up their right to produce cheap, generic anti-AIDS medicines in return for bilateral trade agreements that strengthen protection of costlier, brand name drugs.
Nobel economics laureate Joseph Stiglitz joined advocacy groups Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières this month in criticising Washington for bowing to industry pressure by pursuing a policy the groups say could prevent millions of AIDS patients in poor countries from getting the lifesaving antiretroviral drugs and treatment they need.
....
Writing in the New York Times on 10 July, Professor Stiglitz said President George W Bush's policy was "puzzling and hypocritical" because only last year he had pledged $15bn (£8bn; Euro12bn) to help countries in Africa and the Caribbean affected by AIDS. "While he talks about a global campaign against AIDS and has offered substantial sums to back it up, what he is giving with one hand is being taken away with the other," Professor Stiglitz wrote.
Access to lifesaving medicines has been a sticking point in trade agreements between the United States and countries such as Brazil, which also has a generic drugs industry and is the only developing country with free universal AIDS treatment.
Professor Stiglitz is being a bit naive. It isn't puzzling in the least, he is giving with one hand and taking away from the other... but with one hand he is giving funds from the American Tax Payer, and with the other he is taking funds and giving them to the American Pharma Corporations that donate large amounts to his campaign. It isn't puzzling in the least. It is sad, and shows callousness that could easily be interpreted as evil.
- rob 4:31 PM - [PermaLink] -
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