It seems that a broad agreement has been struck at the world trade talks in Sydney that ensures cheap generic copies of patent-protected drugs can reach poor countries. Mark Vaile, Australia's Minister for Trade who hosted the meeting, hailed it as an outstanding success.

But non-governmental health and aid groups like Oxfam International and Medecins Sans Frontieres immediately criticized the plan. They said the arrangement would make poor countries "unacceptably dependent on the political will" of rich nations.