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Bush to Keep Intact Clinton AIDS Policy Despite Criticism by Some Drug Firms Wall Street Journal The office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced Tuesday that President George W. Bush will maintain the existing U.S. AIDS policy. The pharmaceutical industry had hoped that Bush would implement changes because it feels that the current system allows some poor African countries to circumvent its intellectual property rights. The industry is especially against South Africa's proposals to reduce the cost of AIDS drugs through parallel importing and compulsory licensing. A Pretoria court will soon hear a legal challenge to the government action by the country's pharmaceutical manufacturers association. According to the U.S. Trade Representative's statement, "Consistent with our overall effort to protect America's investment in intellectual property, [the Bush administration will] work with countries that develop serious programs to prevent and treat this horrible disease."
—Posted: February 21, 2001
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