International health ministers to discuss patent rules

GENEVA Intellectual property and access to drugs in the developing world will be a major topic when the World Health Organization meets for the 61st World Health Assembly next week.

The assembly, which will take place in Geneva between May 19 and 24, will bring together health ministers from around the world to draft a global strategy and plan of action dealing with intellectual property, innovation and public health.

Poor countries have argued that high prices and patent protections for drugs to treat HIV, malaria and other illnesses prevent those drugs and cheaper knock-offs from reaching people who need them. Pharmaceutical companies argue that patent protections are necessary to ensure innovation and profitability.