Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health

The Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health was adopted in 2001 to prioritize public health over patent rights. It clarified that WTO member countries can issue compulsory licenses to produce affordable medicines during health emergencies, like HIV/AIDS or pandemics, even if those medicines are patented. This ensures developing countries can access necessary medicines without facing legal barriers, balancing intellectual property rights with public health needs. The declaration emphasizes that patents should not prevent countries from taking measures to protect their populations' health.