Protecting Patent Rights in Thailand

Washington, D.C. (December 1, 2006) — Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America President and CEO Billy Tauzin issued the following statement today after the announcement of the Ministry of Health in Thailand on compulsory licensing HIV medication:

“America’s biopharmaceutical companies are strong supporters of Thailand’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. Innovative medicines have helped thousands of patients in Thailand to live fuller, longer lives. As a matter of policy, the solution to helping patients with HIV/AIDS lies in furthering the constructive relationships between our companies and the Thai government and not in breaking patents or denying patent rights to HIV/AIDS medicines.

“The recent announcement by Thailand’s Ministry of Health to issue a compulsory license without any attempt to negotiate with the patent owner is of grave concern. This action appears to be inconsistent with the procedures in Thailand’s own patent statute. The affected company stated publicly that they are prepared to work closely with the Thai authorities to resolve this matter. We strongly urge the Thai government to engage the company in discussions.

“Our companies are committed to helping HIV/AIDS patients throughout Thailand. This is evident by the many programs companies have undertaken in Thailand including: training more than 1,000 physicians and nurses to provide medical and social care; creating and participating in programs designed to protect population groups vulnerable to the disease; and supporting numerous disease awareness programs for the general population and more specifically for young women.

“Pharmaceutical companies are further committed to helping patients around the world by doing what we do best—developing new medicines and vaccines to treat this terrible disease. Currently, 77 medicines are in development in the U.S. to treat HIV/AIDS. This includes 19 new vaccines and 35 antivirals. It is critically important that the climate for innovation supports this important research for the health of patients worldwide. Patients in Thailand will need these new medicines and a cooperative working relationship between pharmaceutical companies and the Thai government will ensure that the life-enhancing medicines we produce are accessible.”

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The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $39.4 billion in 2005 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry wide research and investment reached a record $51.3 billion in 2005.

PhRMA Internet Address: www.phrma.org

PhRMA en Español: www.nuestraphrma.org

For information on how innovative medicines save lives, visit: www.innovation.org

For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit: www.pparx.org

For information on the danger of imported drugs, visit: www.buysafedrugs.info