April 24, 2008

Activists Call for Cheaper HIV Meds Across the Globe

Health advocates from 15 different countries met earlier this week in New Delhi to discuss ways to make HIV medications cheaper across the globe, the Hindustan Times reports (hindustantimes.com, 4/22).

The meeting—which united civil society leaders from Brazil, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Kenya and other countries—addressed ways in which countries can bypass enforcement of intellectual property rights to ensure that otherwise-patented drugs get into the hands of those who need them most.

The article notes that governments in countries such as Thailand have lowered drug costs by issuing compulsory licenses on drugs treating chronic, life-threatening conditions such as HIV/AIDS and heart disease, a measure permitted under World Trade Organization regulations. The licenses allow countries to override patent restrictions to produce cheaper generic medications.

Search: generics, New Delhi, World Trade Organization

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