AdvaMed Statement on the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, released the following statement from President and CEO Scott Whitaker regarding the conclusion of the World Trade Organization Ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi:
“We are pleased with the outcome of the WTO ministerial conference, which did not include an expansion of the TRIPS waiver to diagnostics and therapeutics. Expanding the waiver would have jeopardized innovation and undermined future investments in medical technology R&D—investments critical to combatting the COVID pandemic and future global health crises. We are committed to continuing our work with the U.S. government, WTO members, international policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions in trade and health that address the regulatory, logistical, and trade impediments that have served as well-documented barriers to access throughout the pandemic.
“We are also pleased that the WTO listened to the overwhelming number of stakeholders who support the renewal of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. Failing to renew this 30-year-old foundational agreement would have been devastating to medtech businesses, especially small enterprises, that would have had to navigate new restrictions and tariffs, and in our industry could have limited access to life-saving medical technology for millions of patients worldwide.”
AdvaMed joined other organizations in February to urge the Biden Administration to oppose the extension of the TRIPS waiver to cover diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as to support the extension of the e-commerce moratorium.
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