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 The United States is committed to a policy of promoting intellectual property protection, including for pharmaceutical patents, because of intellectual property rights' critical role in the rapid innovation, development, and commercialization of effective and safe drug therapies. Financial incentives are needed to develop new medications. No one benefits if research on such products is discouraged.

A comprehensive approach is needed to deal with any serious health emergencies, such as the AIDS crisis. In dealing with such serious threats to public health, like AIDS, countries need to stress education and prevention. The cost of drugs is but one of many important issues that must be addressed. Effective drug treatment necessitates urgent action to strengthen health management systems – especially with regard to the means and methods of drug distribution. Other needed measures include: the development of appropriate drug selection policies and standard treatment guidelines; the training of care providers at all levels; an increase in the availability of adequate laboratory support to diagnose and monitor these complex therapies; and ensuring that the right drugs are used for the right purpose and in the right amount.

Certain countries have done an excellent job addressing the AIDS crisis, especially given their limited means. Such countries include Botswana, Uganda, Senegal, and Thailand. However, some interested parties blame only the pharmaceutical companies without fully examining the many issues involved in addressing the AIDS crisis.

Certain countries try to justify use of protectionist measures by associating these measures with the AIDS crisis when no such linkage exists. This behavior diverts countries, and other interested parties, from focusing on areas of real concern. Indeed, local production requirements can also cost the jobs of American workers.

In sum, the HIV/AIDS scourge is devastating – but there are ways to counter it. Drug therapies must be part of an integrated approach. Solutions must be found to encourage the discovery and production of other effective treatments in the future – for this disease and others.

Implementation of the WTO TRIPS Agreement

One of the most significant achievements of the Uruguay Round was the negotiation of the TRIPS Agreement, which requires all WTO Members to provide certain minimum standards of protection for patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and other forms of intellectual property. The Agreement also requires countries to provide effective enforcement of these rights. The TRIPS Agreement is the first broadly-subscribed multilateral intellectual property agreement that is enforceable between governments, allowing them to resolve disputes through the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism.

Developed countries were required to fully implement TRIPS as of January 1, 1996, while developing countries were given a transition period – until January 1, 2000 – to implement the Agreement's provisions. Ensuring that developing countries are in full compliance with the