[Ip-health] Data on Thai Compulsory License Benefits

[robert weissman]

Thailand's National Health Security Office (Sub-committee for Benefits
and Services Development) has published some data on the number of
patients benefiting from the drugs that were compulsory licensed in late
2006/early 2007.

As of January 2008, roughly 24,000 people were taking the generic
version of efavirenz, roughly a tripling of the number using the
medication before the compulsory license.

About 2,500 were using generic lopinavir/ritonavir, again roughly three
times the number on the higher-priced brand-name therapy before the
compulsory license was issued.

A powerpoint with the data is available here:
<http://www.essentialaction.org/access/uploads/ThaiCLdrugUse.ppt>. The
chart for efavirenz shows a big initial boost and then decline, which
I'm told reflects an initial stockpiling by hospitals. Afterwards, the
numbers steadily rise to the current level.