Making Quality Healthcare Affordable
Response Mr. Koenders at recent seizures
Last week Mr. Koenders, Dutch minister of development aid, responded to questions asked by journalists that seizures of cheap patent free generic medicines in transit for developing countries were “unacceptable” . He furthermore addressed that he is working together with his colleagues from Finance and Economic Affairs on changing the European legislation which is causing the actual problems. While waiting for changes to be agreed upon, he would even consider “breaking” the law and stop all interceptions.
IDA Foundation is very glad with this political statement but it is also clear that the real solution needs to come from the European commission when having effectively harmonised the legislation. Until then, IDA will continue to monitor cases like these and bring them to the attention of the authorities.
In that respect, the recent seizures of medicines in Frankfurt and Paris have helped in getting more focus on this serious issue at a higher level; from a national to a European level.