AEGiS-Bangkok Post: Patent holder seeks Aids drug dialogue 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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Patent holder seeks Aids drug dialogue

Bangkok Post - December 19, 2006

The patent holder of an anti-Aids drug has asked the Commerce Ministry to help initiate a dialogue between the company and the Public Health Ministry over the ministry's planned production of a local version of the anti-Aids drug Efavirenz. Puangrat Asavapisit, director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said MSD Co, an agent of Merck Co, and the Asean-US Business Council want the ministry to act as a go-between.

Their representatives met with Commerce Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet yesterday.

The move comes after the ministry's recent announcement that it plans to apply for compulsory licensing to produce a local version of the anti-Aids drug Efavirenz to help the HIV-infected people.

Under compulsory licensing, the Health Ministry is required to pay the manufacturers 0.5% of the drugs' market price.

Christian Sellars, director for external affairs of MSD, said the firm will work constructively with Thai authorities to ensure the public can access the medicine.


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