Vietnam agreement to boost access to medicines

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The EFPIA view

Vietnam free trade agreement will boost access to medicines

03.02.16

EFPIA welcomes the publication of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement text, which provides a strong precedent for future FTAs in the region. EFPIA is furthermore grateful to the Commission for its work during three years of intense negotiations in securing this important agreement, which will provide concrete benefits both in terms of export opportunities for business, and more importantly, for patients.
We believe it offers pharmaceutical companies increased export opportunities, promotes a level playing field in Vietnam, supports significantly increased access to medicines for patients, and represents a boost for innovation and research.

To this end, we are particularly pleased to see the inclusion of a pharmaceutical annex, which includes arrangements for transparency and accountability as well as the inclusion of IP provisions, which will improve access to medicines, increase innovation and strengthen the Vietnamese health system. The Vietnamese government has, within the framework of the agreement, committed to a high level of protection of Intellectual Property Rights – including stronger enforcement provisions. EFPIA also welcomes strong provisions on public procurement, which will create a level playing field for foreign companies investing in Vietnam.

We look forward to studying the contents of the FTA more in detail, which we hope will serve as a vehicle to align Vietnamese regulatory standards and procurement provisions as well as improve patient access and increase innovation, creating a solid healthcare system in Vietnam for the benefit of patients.

EFPIA Director General Richard Bergström said: “This looks set to be the first of a new generation of bilateral trade agreements that raise IP standards at the same time as improving access to medicines.”