EC regulation of the export of dangerous pharmaceuticals to Third World countries: some prospects

A primary issue of controversy among industrial nations today is the export of pharmaceuticals to Third World countries. "Double standards" in the regulation of pharmaceuticals allow the pharmaceutical industry to dump to less developed nations medicines whose use is banned or restricted domestically. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been the primary initiator of attempts to solve this problem. Until recently, the European Economic Community (EEC) promoted a laissez-faire policy, allowing the uncontrolled export of pharmaceuticals. In recent years, however, the EEC has taken an attitude more supportive of WHO efforts. A study analyzing the possibilities of the EEC to tighten restrictions on drug exports concluded that, simply by adhering to the notification obligations entered into with WHO and the United Nations, the EEC could double the amount of information already available. The completion of the internal market, in 1992, is crucial to the development of an export policy.