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.]
I think it is not new one. Thailand has already issued a CL on this drug in 2007, I think.
what about the CL for lopinavir/ritonavir (“kaletra”)?
Anubha:
This is neither the 1st Aids drug CL by Thai Govt nor is the Efavirenz Cl new.
If I recall correctly (as others above have mentioned), the Thai govt issued HIV/ Aids drug CL licenses years ago.
Finally, the efavirez CL was issued in Nov 2006 by the Thai Govt. so am not sure of what/ IP Komodo/ you guys are doing … but I seriously recommend that when you use words like ‘first’ CL etc., please do a Google search – you will land @ CPtech page which will help you a lot.
Freq. Anon.
@ Freq. Anon,
For a change, why don’t you help us out by providing us with links to these stories if the stories are already available on public forums – our bloggers are not infallible and neither are you – we hope that blogging can be more of a collaborative process where you, the reader, helps us in completing our posts rather than finger pointing.
Best Regards,
Prashant
Freq Anon,
The first CL for efaverenz expired in 2011. I stand corrected regarding the first issuance of the drug.
Further, as mentioned the post is based on reports obtained from a regional blog. Maybe the Thai Govt. is looking at reissuing the license. That is obviously subject to verification from a more credible source(as pointed out in the post).
Thanks.
Thanks Prashant. For details and historical background of Thai CLs please check Page 46 of this book: http://www.msfaccess.org/sites/default/files/MSF_assets/Access/Docs/ACCESS_book_GlobalPolitics_tHoen_ENG_2009.pdf