PHA-Exchange> Protest in Paris on Patent Bill 2004
AMTC India
amtc_india at yahoo.co.in
Wed Dec 8 00:57:36 PST 2004
Act Up-Paris Press release Monday December 6
Global access to medicines is threatened
The Indian government must postpone amending its patent law
Today December 6 2004, French aids activist group Act Up-Paris
demonstrated in front of the Indian consulate in Paris to protest
against Indian Industry Minister Mr Kamal Nath, whose recent policies
are threatening global access to generic medicines. Photographs are
available on www.actupparis.org
Minister Nath has announced a revision of the Indian Patents Act aiming at putting India in compliance with its WTO obligations. But Mr Nath,
giving in to pressure from Washington and Western pharmaceutical
companies, is proposing amendments which, if enacted, will block the
manufacture and export of cheap generic drugs to AIDS-ridden countries in Africa and Asia .
Starting January 1st, the WTO expects India to grant patent monopolies on medicines to international drug companies. But India plays a unique
role in global access to medicines. According to WHO, India is the
worlds chief exporter of cheap generic drugs primarily to poor
nations in Africa and Asia that have no pharmaceutical capability of
their own.
Due to the WTO patent process, several generics have already had to be
withdrawn from Indian pharmacies, such as the generic version of
anti-cancer blockbuster Gleevec, which the patent owner is selling at
57 000 dollars. Early next year, the top-selling HIV drug Combivir is
expected to undergo patent protection too, even though UN agencies
estimates that up to 30% of African AIDS patients receiving treatment
now are using one of the Indian generics of Combivir, such as Ciplas
Duovir or Ranbaxys Avocom.
In this context, the survival of millions of indigent people with HIV
rests on Indias continued ability to make and export cheap generic
versions of new, effective HIV treatments. In 2001, the WTO recognized developing countriess right to circumvent drug patents through a mechanism known as « compulsory licensing ». Yet Minister Nath intends to rig Indias compulsory licensing system with unlimited injunctive relief appeals that the WTO doesnt mandate, and that the drug companies have used to stifle the issuance of any license.
The activists from Affordable Medicines Treatment Campaign in India, as well as Health GAP in the US and Act Up in France, demand that Mr Nath implement a strictly enforceable deadline of one to three months for the review of a compulsory license request, as well as the withdrawal of injunctive relief in drug companys rights of appeal. Activists also
stress that nothing is forcing India to amend its patent law in haste :
most other developing countries have managed to exceed the deadlines
set by WTO for complying with its patent norms.
Tomorrow Tuesday December 7, Affordable Medicines Treatment Campaign organizes a march on Parliament in Delhi to request its amendments be passed.
Pictures are on the web site
http://www.actupparis.org/portfolio2.php?id_document=1510
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