Health before wealth

Demand the WTO change its patent rules

Every day 37,000 people die from preventable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Most of these deaths are in the developing world where many life-saving drugs are unaffordable because they are patented under rules set by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

There is now a strong movement of governments, charities, churches, activist groups and health bodies urging the WTO to change these rules to allow countries the right to make vital medicines more cheaply. However a few rich WTO members – particularly the United States – are blocking these moves, and pressurising developing countries to apply even more restrictive rules at national level.

Oxfam, Third World Network and Health Gap Coalition are part of a global alliance which is urging WTO members, in particular the US, to demonstrate their commitment to put people’s health before the profits of powerful drugs companies.

Will you help us change the WTO rules? Add your name to our petition which we will present to the WTO at its forthcoming summit. Thank you.