The Government do not speculate on the outcome of legal cases whether in the UK or overseas. This allows WTO members to implement domestic IPR regimes which take adequate account of their national circumstances. This is a matter for the judgment of individual Governments. We have made clear our support for South Africa's access to affordable medicines, consistent with national obligations under the TRIPs Agreement. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the compulsory licences applied for to his Department in the last 10 years and the outcomes.
Details are in the table.
I have been in contact with GlaxoSmithKline on a range of matters, including the conditions for business in South Africa. The pursuit of legal action is a matter for GSK and the other companies concerned. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries have issued compulsory licences to reduce the cost of medicines in the last 10 years. The UK has not issued any compulsory licences in the last 10 years. The Government do not have information on compulsory licences issued by other countries.