As US Trade Representative Susan Schwab conducts her annual review of global intellectual property rights and protection, a group of 27 House Democrats has written a letter to remind her that compulsory licensing is permissable under World Trade Organization rules and that the real issue to focus on is public health and access to life-saving meds.

You may recall that Thailand is in pharma’s crosshairs for issuing compulsory licenses for several meds - a blood thinner, two AIDS drugs and four cancer treatments. Last year, the US Trade Rep placed Thailand on its Priority Watch List and drugmakers have been lobbying Schwab’s office to downgrade Thaliand again to the lowest rung, which could alter trade relations between the two countries.

And so in their letter, the Dems worry aloud that the USTR is getting ready to make an example out of Thailand and cite a recent report they claim “inaccurately characterizes” the country’s ability to issue these licenses. In making their case, they note that a WTO agreement, known as TRIPS, allows member nations “flexibilities” to “protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to medicines for all.” And they maintain the notion is not incompatible with respect for patents.

Here’s the letter.