MSF warns EU law could hamper future emergency response

French healthcare non-profit Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on European lawmakers to amend a proposed law which would result in an effective export ban.

The compulsory license (CL) legislation, currently being reviewed by the European authorities, is aimed at providing public health safeguards to ensure access to more affordable medicines.

The law addresses patent barriers in order to allow for cross-border collaboration on production and supply within the European Union, enabling countries to share the production of medical products.

However, MSF said the draft proposal also contains language "prohibiting the exportation of products produced under the CL, allowing their supply and use only within EU countries.”