NIH says ddI not under patent in Thailand and South Africa, because US government never obtained rights in these countries

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

Interesting bit of news regarding HIV drug ddI.

According to Richard A. Lambert NIH (LAMBERTR@OD31TM1.OD.NIH.GOV ), the
US government never obtained South African or Thailand patent rights for
ddI.  Therefore, South Africa and Thailand can right now buy ddI from a
generic supplier.   ddI is of course also under a reasonable pricing
clause, and the US Department of Health and Human Services is now
weighing a request from Thailand NGOs and US Act Up! activists to
determine if Bristol-Mysers Squibb is in compliance with the fair
pricing clause.  (We met with DHHS about this today).  


 Jamie


-- 
James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology
I can be reached at love@cptech.org, by telephone 202.387.8030,
by fax at 202.234.5176. CPT web page is http://www.cptech.org