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Source: http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/analysis/87038/eu-needs-israeli-medicines-time-trade-freely
EU Needs Israeli Medicines
(Jewish Chronicle-UK) Marina Yannakoudakis - The politicization of a technical agreement with Israel that will facilitate the import of high-quality and affordable medicines into Europe has already caused delays in the provision of life-saving drugs to European patients at lower prices. When the "Protocol on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products" is voted on by all members of the European Parliament this week, it will have taken over two years of negotiations to finalize an already established joint commitment with Israel. Israel's Teva Pharmaceuticals makes Copaxone, the world's top selling treatment for multiple sclerosis. The company has also produced a generic version of Lipitor, the popular blood pressure medication and the world's best-selling drug. Teva also produces a generic version of Actos, which is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. According to industry estimates, Europeans save nearly 25 billion euros annually by using generics. The writer is Conservative MEP for London in the European Parliament.