Development and Health in Poor Countries:
The Role of International Organizations and of Switzerland
A book for understanding what is at stakes
The book presents the mandates and activities of international organizations concerned with intellectual property and underlines the dangers of bilateral ad hoc relations negotiated among countries (or among groups of countries). A first part explores the internal debates and contradictions in each organization without omitting the tensions which arise among them as well as the relative weight of pressure groups. The second part examines the same topics and attempts to identify the role of Switzerland and of various parties involved.
A basis for action
The book underlines the possible and verified dangers of the measures taken by international organizations, by the recent tendency of multiplying free-trade agreements and in parallel the positions taken by the Swiss representatives in this context. When these stakes present dangers to public health in poor countries or to the interests of their underprivileged classes, we think that contacts with NGOs and other members of the civil society should be fostered in view of a common protest initiatives and enhanced awareness.
Access to medicine: Switzerland can do better !
The representatives of the Swiss government on the international scene often take a position in view of reinforcing intellectual property. In so doing they act as representatives of industrialised countries and undergo the demands of economic corporations. To abide by the objectives set out in its white paper of foreign policy in matter of global health, Switzerland must act in favour of public health and access to medicine in poor countries.