EU initiates WTO dispute complaint against Turkish measures affecting pharmaceuticals
The European Union has requested dispute consultations with Turkey regarding various requirements imposed by Turkey on the production, import and approval for reimbursement, pricing and licensing of pharmaceutical products. The request was circulated to WTO members on 10 April.
The EU claims that the measures at issue, which include localization requirements, technology transfer requirements, pricing, licensing, import and prioritization for reimbursement, are inconsistent with provisions under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, and the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
Further information is available in document WT/DS583/1
What is a request for consultations?
The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.