Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - December 23, 2003
Brazil is considering importing an Indian company's copy of Roche's Nelfinavir drug, which would give the South American country cheaper access to the product and the formula to the drug.
"The Indian drug compares favorably with Roche's Nelfinavir," said the official, who asked that his name not be used.
If Brazil eventually began production of Nelfinavir without Roche's approval, it would mark the first time it has broken a company's patent in its fight to cut drug costs and provide free, universal anti-retroviral AIDS drug treatment.
Brazil's policy to break drug patents if companies refuse to cut prices has allowed it to provide generic copies of anti-retroviral drugs to 135,000 Brazilians.
The program is a model for the World Health Organization's push to provide AIDS drugs to 3 million people in poor nations by 2005.
Brazil's Health Ministry calculates it could save $5 million in 2004 if it takes the Indian company's drug. It is weighing up the "costs and benefits" of such a move before a decision around Jan. 12, the official said.
A Roche spokeswoman said its negotiations with Brazil continued and it expected an announcement in January.
Roche's Nelfinavir is currently used in Brazil's anti-AIDS cocktail. The nation hopes to begin domestic production of a generic copy in October 2004, the official said.
The Indian company, which the official did not name, has offered its Nelfinavir copy at a 20 percent discount to Roche's current offer, the official said.
Brazil wants a 30 percent discount on Roche's Nelfinavir. The company has offered 15 percent, the Brazil official said.
Under World Trade Organization rules, nations can begin compulsory production of a drug in a national emergency.
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