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PRINCIPLES REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS

The American Medical Student Association:

1.             SUPPORTS international agreements that place the health of populations above commercial interests.

2.             SUPPORTS international trade agreements that secure the right to life-saving medications in resource-poor settings and that encourage investment in public health, (2003) as outlined in the World Trade Organization’s Minesterial Declaration on the TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects of International Property) Agreement and Public Health (“Doha Declaration”), that allows for World Trade Organization members to take measure to protect public health. (2004)

a.             SUPPORTS the need-based use of compulsory licensing as outlined in the Doha Declaration to make life-saving medications accessible on a country-by-country basis. (2008)

b.             OPPOSES efforts by governments and corporations to circumvent and obstruct the use of compulsory licenses by sovereign nations. (2008)  

3.             OPPOSES the enactment of more stringent intellectual property provisions from bi- and pluri-lateral free trade agreements, and this would severely limit access to essential medications. (2004)

4.             SUPPORTS use the TRIPS agreement as the maximum and not the minimum protection for intellectual property rights. (2004)

5.             SUPPORTS trade agreements that deter harmful environment practices and unfair labor laws. (2003)