Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - October 19, 2002
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
The decision comes after an Oct 1 ruling by the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court limiting the exclusive rights of Bristol-Myers Squibb to sell ddI in its 5-100mg tablet form.
Dr Thongchai said the GPO would initially make 5,000 tablets of ddI 125mg, but would hold off marketing the product until he was sure Bristol-Myers Squibb would not appeal. The GPO currently makes a powdered form of ddI 170 mg, which sells for 20 baht a packet.
Meanwhile, the Thai and Zambian ministries of Public Health are discussing a joint venture to make the anti-Aids drug, deputy health minister Pracha Phromnok has said.
The plant would be built in Zambia and would enable the Thai government to expand its production of ddI, he said.
Zambian health minister Dr B. Chituwo said 20% of Zambia's population was infected by HIV/Aids. Even with cooperation from American and European drug manufacturers, his government could not give so many people access to treatment without outside help.
"We have the political will to provide anti-retroviral drugs as part of our health programme, but we can't afford the drug," he said.
Dr Chituwo said the manufacturing plant would not only benefit Zambia, but also enable another 13 countries in the Southern African development zone to enjoy access to more affordable generic drugs.
Dr Thongchai said the plant would cost US$1 million (about 42 million baht) and would take a year to build.
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