HEALTH
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.
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