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[House Ways and Means Committee Democrats, Link] A group of 15 House Democrats today sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman urging the Administration to clarify its position on compulsory licensing for generic medicines in Colombia.

The letter was led by Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), and also signed by Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), John Lewis (D-GA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), David E. Price (D-NC), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), and Sam Farr (D-CA).

“As you know, the issuance of compulsory licenses is permissible under U.S. trade agreements and the WTO Agreement…We therefore find it deeply troubling that U.S. officials may not be respecting the Doha Declaration,” the Members wrote. “There are growing concerns about the very high and increasing costs of pharmaceuticals in the United States and in other nations.  And the annual price of this medicine in Colombia is almost twice as much as the average annual income per person in Colombia. As policymakers struggle to address this issue, we should not seek to limit the existing, agreed upon flexibilities public health authorities have to address these concerns. We ask that you clarify the position the Administration has taken in meetings with Colombian officials on this important issue as soon as possible.”

Read the full letter here.