Translation of "fixation de prix différentiels " (French → English) :

The present proposal maintains the core principles of the existing Directive but suggests the following main adaptations: clarification of the scope and of several key provisions; adaptation of the time limits for pricing and reimbursement decisions; clarification of the relationship of pricing and reimbursement procedures with intellectual property rights and the marketing authorisation process; setting up of a number of instruments to facilitate dialogue and the implementation of the Directive and to ensure its effective enforcement.

47. Calls on the Member States and on European laboratories, in accordance with the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement, to negotiate a ‘partnership approach’ respecting patent protection in developed markets and covering voluntary licensing agreements, support for health programmes, technology transfer arrangements and an increase in local production capacity with a view to reducing the price of medicines in low-income countries (through tiered or differential pricing);

47. Calls on the Member States and on European laboratories, in accordance with the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement, to negotiate a ‘partnership approach’ respecting patent protection in developed markets and covering voluntary licensing agreements, support for health programmes, technology transfer arrangements and an increase in local production capacity with a view to reducing the price of medicines in low-income countries (through tiered or differential pricing);

47. Calls on the Member States and on European laboratories, in accordance with the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement, to negotiate a ‘partnership approach’ respecting patent protection in developed markets and covering voluntary licensing agreements, support for health programmes, technology transfer arrangements and an increase in local production capacity with a view to reducing the price of medicines in low-income countries (through tiered or differential pricing);

3. State-trading enterprises (STEs) can have potentially highly trade distorting practices such as cross-subsidization, price-discrimination and price pooling.

The Commission rejected this argument for the following reasons - . an exemption for one activity (maritime price fixing) cannot in itself justify an exemption for all other revenue producing activities, . the FEFC does not itself organise directly or indirectly any inland transport activities other than the collective fixing of prices and conditions for carrier haulage, . only those members of the FEFC which undertake joint inland activities which produce benefits to consumers can qualify for exemption under Article 85(3) (in respect of inland price fixing), . other provider ...[+++]s of inland transport services (which are not permitted to fix prices) would be placed at a competitive disadvantage.