The World TradeOrganization (WTO) hastaken action to helpdeveloping countrieshave access to genericmedications for communicable diseasessuch as AIDS. The approved changes tothe WTO's intellectual property agreementwould make permanent a waivercurrently in place and allow economicallystrapped countries lacking pharmaceuticalmanufacturing capacities toimport cheaper copies of patented medicinesfor humanitarian purposes.
The organization has set December 1,2007, as a deadline to approve theamendment. The revision would need tobe approved by two thirds of the 148members.