Intellectual Property Rights in the WTO and Access to Medicines

Taking into account the universal character of the World Trade Organization, it is definitely worth trying to analyze those WTO regulations that pertain to intellectual property rights as well as affect or may affect possible access to medicinal products. Therefore, the contents of the obligations imposed in this regard on WTO Members should be verified. The range of possible measures relating to intellectual property rights should be determined as well, which could help increase access to medicines within the WTO system, particularly for developing countries. The analysis was carried out in accordance with customary rules of interpreting international treaties codified in particular in Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.