US Puts Thailand on Copyright Violators List – Thailand Responds by Promising to Break Patents on AIDS Drugs
It's kind of like being accused of infidelity when you haven't been and then deciding to go through with it anyway just because you are going to catch hades for it no matter what.
The United States put Thailand on a list of copyright violators.
Thailand responded by saying it will stand by its decision to break patents on the expensive U.S. made AIDS drugs.
At US prices, Thailand can only afford to provide drugs for one-fifth of its half million people living with HIV.
Thailand's Public Health Minister says the measure is to allow those in need who can't afford the expensive drugs to have access to them….for the benefit of the public."
World Trade Organization agreements allow for governments to issue compulsory licenses that allow for the manufacture, "import and sale of cheaper generic versions of patented drugs in case of a national public health emergency."
Thailand thinks it has a case.
In any event, do drugmakers have a right to withhold drugs from a dying patient?
I guess it happens all the time…to the many of us who can't afford health insurance, eh?
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