[Ip-health] US ambassador's letter to Thai prime Minister on CLs

[Kannikar KIJTIWATCHAKUL]

		EMBASSY OF THE
		UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
		BANGKOK
			THE AMBASSADOR


			July 20, 2007

Your Excellency:

	When we spoke in late March, before my trip to the
United States, I welcomed your assurance that no new
compulsory licenses on pharmaceuticals would be
issued.  I reported this news to my Government and to
U.S. industry on my subsequent travels back to
Washington, which greatly eased the tension.  I now
fear that the compulsory licensing issue will soon
reemerge.

	A number of U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers are
closely following the deliberations of the Ministry of
Public Health ad hoc committee formed to consider
pharmaceutical compulsory licenses.  The Ministry of
Public Health has confirmed that it is actively
considering a list of additional drugs for compulsory
licensing.  My staff has consulted with officials from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of
Commerce, who have not been able to reassure that no
additional compulsory licenses are forthcoming.

	My Government thinks it is important for all
countries, including Thailand, to play a role in, and
benefit fully from, the development of new and more
advanced medical treatments.  Strong protection of
intellectual property rights, including through
patents, remain a vital part of that process.  While
all WTO members have the ability to make appropriate
use of flexibilities to address urgent situations,
these decisions should not be made lightly and only as
a last resort.

	We strongly urge the Ministry of Public Health to
engage openly and transparently with the companies
that developed the drugs that are at issue.  I look
forward to your continued leadership on this issue.

			Sincerely,


			Ralph L. Boyce


His Excellency
GEN Surayud Chulanont,
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand,
Government House,
Pitsanulok Road,
Bangkok 10300



Kannikar KIJTIWATCHAKUL (Kar)
Access Campaigner
MSF Belgium - Thailand Mission,
522 Mooban Nakorn Thai 14,
Ladphrao Soi 101/1,
Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240
Tel (+66) 2370 3087
Fax (+66) 2731 1432
Mobile (+66) 85-0708954



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