[Ip-health] Bangkok Post: CL will continue, says Minister

[Judit Rius Sanjuan]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/150808_News/15Aug2008_news96.php

Friday August 15, 2008
Compulsory licensing will continue, says minister

Public Health Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul has confirmed he will
resist lobbying by international pharmaceutical companies for an end
to compulsory licensing of life-saving patented medications.

He was responding to reports that pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis
was lobbying Thai authorities to dump cheap anti-clotting and breast
and lung cancer medicines purchased under compulsory licensing and buy
its products instead.

Government Pharmaceutical Organisation chairman Wichai Chokewiwat said
on Wednesday the company had offered to compensate the GPO for the
cost of importing the generic drugs from India, and to sell its
products here at a discount.

"I confirm that the Public Health Ministry's compulsory licensing
policy will proceed as planned," Mr Chavarat said.

He said pharmaceutical companies can present additional information on
compulsory licensing to the appropriate authorities, but they will not
be permitted to lobby in such a fashion.

Dr Wichai said yesterday the GPO has signed a contract to purchase
400,000 breast cancer pills under compulsory licensing at 3.50 baht
each, well below the cost of the patent-owner's pills, which cost 220
baht each.



Judit Rius Sanjuan
Attorney
Knowledge Ecology International / Essential Information
www.keionline.org / www.cptech.org
Phone: +1.202.332.2670, x18