The Thailand Government announced plans to issue a compulsory licence for an anti-retroviral drug Efaverenz, as reported by IP Komodo (a blog covering South East Asian IP developments). Thailand has previously issued licences for other anti-cancer drugs, but this is a first for an anti-retroviral drug(used in second-line treatment for HIV-AIDS). The drug is manufactured by Merck. Plans for issuance of licence were announced way back in 2006. In 2007 it was reported that Merck had substantially reduced prices for AIDS afflicted poor nations. The license expired in 2011. However, this particular development in 2013-about plans to license Efaverenz, as reported by IP Komodo is subject to verification from a secondary source.
Merck reportedly is keen on persuading the Thai Government to reverse the decision by suggesting alternative pricing and supply plans. Merck has also claimed to supply the drug at a lower price in Thailand compared to prices elsewhere.
The drug will be manufactured by the Government Pharma Organisation(GPO) on a five-year compulsory license. In fact, the Thai govt. imported generic Efaverenz from Ranbaxy as an interim measure in 2007 until the GPO had production of the same in place. Thailand has over 500,000 people affected by HIV, and 80,000 are already receiving antiretroviral treatment.
[Note: The post stands updated to reflect that the first CL expired in 2011 and that the Thai govt. imported generic Efaverenz from Ranbaxy as an interim measure in 2007 until the GPO had production of the same in place.]
[Note: The post stands updated to reflect that the first CL expired in 2011 and that the Thai govt. imported generic Efaverenz from Ranbaxy as an interim measure in 2007 until the GPO had production of the same in place.]
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