BD for timeline extension

Bangladesh wants to see the start of negotiation on extending the timeline for implementing patent law on drugs which will expire on December 31, said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed in the city on Thursday, reports UNB.
"We've already taken an initiative to extend the deadline. We've sent our position paper to Bangladesh Mission in Geneva after consulting the stakeholders so that negotiation can start based on the paper," he said.
The commerce minister said he would visit Geneva, Switzerland next month to attend a conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "I'll try to expedite the process after discussing with all including least developed countries (LDCs) group."
The WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), with its 'one-size-fits-all' approach has created serious implications for the developing and LDCs in the field of public health, agriculture and development, according to industry insiders.