Report from a conference on Aids in Sydney, forwarded by Frederick Noronha.
Learn from Brazil and Thai drug licences, say MSF. Generics sustain access to anti-HIV drugs, argues Médecins Sans Frontières
Article by Imelda Albano and T. V. Padma, 25 July 2007, Source: SciDev.Net
[SYDNEY] Developing countries can learn from the experiences of Brazil and Thailand when it comes to sustaining access to anti-HIV drugs, says Médecins Sans Frontières. The international medical charity has published a report in the July 2007 issue of the journal AIDS, in which the authors state that the Thai and Brazilian experience sends a clear message that “generic
manufacture is worthwhile”, but that governments need support from an informed civil society when putting health before trade.
Read more here
Summary: Thailand’s actions had positive repercussions for other developing countries, says the report. It motivated Brazil to follow suit, and forced Abbott to lower the price in over 40 countries. The report says India, another developing country with a strong domestic drug industry but a weak national AIDS control programme, faces similar challenges. At the moment, it is unclear whether India will exercise the right to issue compulsory licenses, and how effective they will be.
Link to abstract in AIDS: http://www.aidsonline.com/pt/re/aids/abstract.00002030-200707004-00004.htm