Christian Aid partners back Brazil decision to defy US drugs giant

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Christian Aid partners back Brazil decision to defy US drugs giant
24 May 2007 11:35:00 GMT


Christian Aid partners have launched a petition supporting the Brazilian government's decision to bypass the patent on an AIDS drug produced by the US pharmaceutical giant, Merck.

Brazil has followed Thailand's lead in importing a much cheaper generic version of the drug Efavirenz after negotiations with Merck over a price reduction broke down.

Merck offered to price the pills at £0.56 which represents a thirty per cent discount. But Brazil argued it should be able to pay the same amount as Thailand which pays £0.33. The country will now be importing an Indian-made version of the drug for £0.23. This represents a significant saving in a country where 180,000 people are HIV positive and 70,000 are using the anti-retroviral drug, Efavirenz.

Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said: 'From an ethical point of view the price difference is grotesque. From a political point of view it represents a lack of respect, as though a sick Brazilian is inferior.'

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