We applaud South Africa for having the courage to call for a re-opening of negotiations on the United Nations Political Declaration on Tuberculosis to include TRIPS flexibilities. We strongly encourage the other African countries to support South Africa’s position.

As a reminder, the use of TRIPs flexibilities was unanimously approved by all WTO member States in the Doha Declaration. Therefore, we do not understand how these same signatory States can oppose the inclusion of these flexibilities in the UN Political Declaration on TB.

The use of TRIPS flexibilities ought to be the rule for all countries so as to ensure that their population have sustainable access to affordable and quality medicines.