Uruguay

Intellectual Property Protection

The Congress in Uruguay is considering a draft bill presented by the Executive, dated December 30, 1997, that is deficient and contrary to the interests of the research-based pharmaceutical industry. In the most general terms:

• Compulsory licensing is very broadly established;
• Data exclusivity is omitted;
• Exclusive marketing rights are not considered;
• Pipeline patent protection is not considered;
• Parallel importation is allowed.

The contents of the draft bill have not been fully endorsed by the research-based industry. Accordingly, any statements to the contrary from the Government of Uruguay and local groups should be understood in the proper light, as reflecting a "consensus" on the need for draft legislation, rather than agreement on its substance.

Potential Export/Foreign Sales

The removal of current barriers would mean an increase in sales and exports in the range of US$ 50 million to US$100 million for PhRMA members.