WTO Fails to Achieve Agreement on Cheap Drugs for Poor Countries

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 29, 2003

WTO Fails to Achieve Agreement on Cheap Drugs for Poor Countries

The World Trade Organization (WTO) failed on Thursday to approve an agreement in principle to help poor countries have effective access to cheap drugs.

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) failed to approve an agreement in principle to help poor countries have effective access to cheap drugs, a WTO spokesman announced early on Friday.

The WTO General Council, the executive body of the organization, decided to delay the decision after a long discussion early on Friday.

"There is no deal. More consultations are required," WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell said.

Earlier reports said that an agreement was reached on Thursday to allow poor countries affordable access to drugs developed in rich countries after the United States dropped its objections. Theagreement needs to be ratified by the General Council.

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