El Universal: Venezuela's Minister of Trade Eduardo Saman said that the government is preparing a proposal on pharmaceutical patents together with representatives of the domestic industries, "which are the ones that need official protection."

Saman added that so far the government moves in this direction have been supported by the domestic pharmaceutical industry. "The government and the local industry have closed ranks on this issue," he said.

During his participation in a forum called "Development of Trade Production," the minister stressed the importance of contributing to productive endogenous development through the protection of the national industry. The goal is "to prevent monopolies and abuse of dominant position by national and international companies."

Saman insisted on the need to reform the Law on Social Ownership so that patents serve as concessions rather than a title deed. Saman clarified that the government is not against patents, it only questions the fact that capitalism has transformed patents in a form of property."

http://english.eluniversal.com/2009/07/09/
en_eco_esp_trade-minister:-talk_09A2476123.shtml