AEGiS-Bangkok Post: Network demands US drug patent be vetoed Bangkok PostImportant note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Network demands US drug patent be vetoed

Bangkok Post - February 22, 2006
Phusadee Arunmas

Nearly 50 members of the Thai Network of People Living with HIV Aids yesterday lobbied the Commerce Ministry and the Intellectual Property Department to reject US-based GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) request for patent registration of an HIV medicine known as COMBID. Network chairman Kamol Upakaew pointed out COMBID is not a brand-new anti-HIV medication but a combination of two drugs, AZT and 3TC, produced by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation. As such, it does not qualify for patent registration under Thai law.

The patent, it said, would monopolise anti-HIV drug production, meaning the 4,000 patients who take AZT and 3TC at a cost of 1,500 baht per month each will have to pay up to 8,000 baht a month if the patent application goes through.

Mr Kamol also called for more pharmacists to sit on the pharmaceutical patent-vetting sub-committee. The only pharmacist present is a wife of a GSK executive, which he said raises questions over conflicts of interest.

Commerce Permanent Secretary Karun Kittisataporn, promised the top priority would be the welfare of HIV/Aids patients.

He would invite the network to supply the sub-committee with more information on the alleged conflicts of interest.


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