PHA-Exch> Sign-on letter: Support Colombia compulsory license request for l/r (Kaletra)

[robert weissman]

Dear Colleagues,

On July 16, Colombian NGOs filed requests for an open compulsory license 
on AIDS drug lopinavir/ritonavir with the Colombian government. An open 
license would permit generic competition with Abbott's patented product 
Kaletra. Generic lopinavir/ritonavir is available in many countries at 
prices significantly less than half what Abbott charges Colombia's 
public health sector (and five times less what Abbott charges Colombia's 
private sector).  An open license would save patients and health 
programs money and facilitate access to an important AIDS medicine.

The health NGOs' compulsory license request comes more than three months 
after the same groups requested an open license directly from Abbott 
Laboratories. To date, Abbott has not responded to the groups' request.

More information is available here:
<http://www.essentialaction.org/access/index.php?/archives/166- 
Colombia-Health-Organizations-file-for-compulsory-license-on- 
lopinavirritonavir.html>

Essential Action is collecting signatures in support of the license 
request. If you would like to sign on, please send your organization's 
name (or your name and organizational affiliation, if any, if you would 
like to sign on as an individual), your mailing address and email 
address to <peter.maybarduk at essentialinformation.org>. The deadline for 
sign- ons is Tuesday, August 5, 2008.

Thank you,
Peter Maybarduk
Essential Action
peter.maybarduk at essentialinformation.org
Skype: petesystem
------

Doctor
ALVARO URIBE VELEZ
PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE COLOMBIA
E.  S.  D.

Doctor
GUSTAVO VALBUENA QUIÑONES
SUPERINTENDENTE DE INDUSTRIA Y COMERCIO
E. S. D.

cc:
Doctor
DIEGO PALACIO BETANCOURT
MINISTRO DE LA PROTECCION SOCIAL
E. S. D.


We are organizations from around the world concerned about providing 
treatment to people with HIV/AIDS, ensuring all people have access to 
needed medicines, and promoting public health. We write in support of 
the July 16, 2008 Colombian civil society request for issuance of a 
compulsory license on the medicine lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra),(1) 
[FN1: The request was filed by the HIV/AIDS Working Group (Mesa de 
Organizaciones con trabajo en VIH/SIDA), RECOLVIH Colombian Network of 
Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (Red Colombiana de personas viviendo con el 
VIH), Foundation IFARMA-Health Action Internacional, and Mission Health 
(Fundación Misión Salud)]

Under the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) and Andean Community Decision 486, 
Colombia is free to issue compulsory licenses to advance public interest 
objectives. The WTO's Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public 
Health "affirm[s] that the [TRIPS] Agreement can and should be 
interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of WTO members' right 
to protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to 
medicines for all."

Issuing a compulsory license in this case will help promote access to 
medicines for all. Lopinavir/ritonavir is a key medicine in the 
treatment of HIV/AIDS. The high price charged by Abbott, the patent 
holder for this medicine, constitutes a barrier to access and hinders 
efforts to make antiretroviral treatment available in Colombia to all 
who need it.

A compulsory license for lopinavir/ritonavir in Colombia would allow the 
state to obtain and offer imported generics, as well as permit the local 
production of lopinavir/ritonavir. The result could be greater product 
availability for patients, robust competition, and savings for the 
state, which could be directed to other public needs.

Thank you for this opportunity to comment. We urge that you give all due 
consideration to this license request.