[Random-bits] Congressional briefing on Thailand compulsory licenses

[James Packard Love]

This will be even more timely, given Abbott's announcement that they =20
will no longer register new drugs in Thailand, in retaliation for the =20=

Thai compulsory licenses.
Jamie

Begin forwarded message:

From: Benjamin Krohmal <ben.krohmal@keionline.org>
Date: March 14, 2007 2:54:22 PM EDT
To: ip-health@lists.essential.org
Subject: [Ip-health] Thailand briefing details

The briefing is co-sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown and Congressman
Tom Allen.  The text of their "dear colleague" invitation follows:

Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515

Thailand's Compulsory Licenses on Drugs
Good Step for Public Health or Bad Precedent for Intellectual Property?

March 14, 2007

Dear Colleague:

             We invite you to attend a briefing on the Government of
Thailand's issuance of compulsory licenses for HIV/AIDS and heart
medicines.

             Background:   Since November 2006, Thailand has issued
compulsory licenses on two patented drugs for HIV/AIDS and one for
heart disease.  The Government of Thailand says it took this action
to gain access to less expensive generic versions of drugs, finding
that high prices for brand-name drugs had created a significant
obstacle to treating people with HIV/AIDS and heart disease.  A
compulsory license is a legal tool available to governments to
override patents, with compensation to the patent holder, in order to
meet a public need.

             Controversy:  Many in the pharmaceutical industry
question the legality and the wisdom of the Thai compulsory licenses,
arguing that international law only permits compulsory licensing
under very narrow circumstances.  Public health advocates say that
the Thai Government acted in accordance with international law,
pursuant to the TRIPS agreement the "Doha Declaration" on public health.

             How should the U.S. respond?   At stake are the
commercial interests of U.S. companies and public health and popular
opinion in Thailand.  This issue has implications for other
developing nations who may look to compulsory licenses as a remedy to
lack of access to affordable drugs, and for pharmaceutical companies
that want to protect their intellectual property.  The debate could
also impact the U.S. government's use of compulsory licenses on
products like software, energy efficient cars, medicines and medical
devices.  To discuss this issue, we will hear from:

Mark Grayson, Deputy Vice President for Communications at the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA);
James Love, Director of Knowledge Ecology International, an
international non-government organization specializing in
intellectual property issues;
Dr. Buddhima Lokuge, U.S. manager of the Campaign for Access to
Essential Medicines at Doctors Without Borders/ M=E9decins Sans
Fronti=E8res (MSF).
Robert Weissman, Director of Essential Action, and a legal advisor on
intellectual property rules for bodies such as the World Health
Organization.
Dean Ronald A. Cass, Dean Emeritus of Boston University School of
Law, Chairman of the Center for the Rule of Law, and former
Commissioner and Vice-Chair of the U.S. International Trade Commission.

When: Friday, March 16, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: S-115, the Capitol.

             We hope you can join us for this timely briefing.

Sincerely,



             Sherrod
Brown                                                 Tom Allen
             United States
Senator                                     Member of Congress


Benjamin Krohmal
Coordinator - Project on Medical Innovation
Knowledge Ecology International
Tel: +1-202-332-2670 ex. 14
Fax: +1-202-332-2673
ben.krohmal@keionline.org