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"Thais break patent on AIDS drug"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(01/12/06)
BANGKOK: Local and international AIDS activists have praised Thailand's
military-backed government's decision to break the patent on pharmaceutical
giant Merck's high-priced HIV/AIDS drug Efavirenz.
The Thai public health ministry announced on Wednesday that compulsory
licensing would take effect immediately and will allow access to the
live-saving drug at a lower price.
“We need to break the patent because the price is too high for the
government to afford it, as new AIDS patients increase every year by tens of
thousands,” said Thawat Suntrajarn, director-general of the department of
disease control.
Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) praised the decision, saying it would improve
access to Efavirenz, a key HIV/AIDS drug.
With the compulsory licensing, the cost for Efavirenz would be cut in half
from the existing 2,500 baht (RM241.20) a month to 1,400 baht (RM138.60),
Tawat said. — AFP
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