[Pharm-policy] MSF update d4T in Thailand

[James Love]

This is from Tido in Bangkok,

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       MSF update d4T in Thailand
   Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 15:26:24 -0000
  From: "MSF-Drugs Bangkok" <msfdrugs@asianet.co.th>

   [snip]

"Stavudine - d4T is now produced generically in Thailand at US$ 0.54 -
0.76 per day (depending on body weight). This is more than 85% cheaper
than the current brand name price in Thailand (and more than 90% below
the US price). 

Unfortunately Bristol-Myers Squibb has been engaged in heavy lobbying
efforts over many months to prevent generic production.There is no
patent on d4T in Thailand but d4T had market exclusivity based on a
regulation that automatically gives market exclusivity during post
marketing surveillance (here called Safety Monitoring Program). This
arrangement was imposed on Thailand  by the US Trade Representative when
Thailand was under "special 301" review in 1993, i.e. before TRIPS was
even signed. Market exclusivity for d4T expired last year with the
completion of the Safety Monitoring Program but Bristol-Myers Squibb
attempted to get further protection and has been trying to discredit the
quality of generics.

These lobying efforts have to be seen in contrast to the recent press
releases of the 5 drug companies (including Bristol-Myers Squibb) to
reduce drug prices in cooperation with UNAIDS. At least for this
particular company it shows that the reduction of drug prices (if it
ever will take place) is not genuine but a response to generic
competition and activist pressure.

Total world wide sales of d4T (Zerit) had exceeded $ 1.1 billion by
1998. Mind that this is another drug that was not developed by the
industry... "


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James Love, Director           | http://www.cptech.org
Consumer Project on Technology | mailto:love@cptech.org 
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