R 082052Z JUL 05 – July 8, 2005
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2012
SUBJECT: SOUTH AMERICA ESTH NEWS, NUMBER 58
1. The following is the fifty-eighth in a series of newsletters, published by the Brasilia Regional Environmental Hub, covering environment, science and technology, and health news in South America…from news sources from across the region…
6. Brazil Initiates Compulsory Licensing Process for AIDS Drug
JUNE 25, 2005 – On June 24 the Brazilian Health Minister launched the process through which the GOB could issue a compulsory license for the domestic production of the AIDS drug Kaletra, whose patent is currently owned by the pharmaceutical company Abbott. Press reports indicated that the move could save more than USD 130 million for the federal AIDS treatment program every year. Also according to press reports, the licensing process could be interrupted if Abbott agrees to cut prices within ten days of the publication of the licensing procedures in the federal register. One daily reported that, according to the regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO), the measure being taken by Brazil is “perfectly legal.”
Source – Public Affairs US Embassy Brasilia