US Lobbyists Pressure Brazil on ARVs Patents
A group of 108 US-based and international HIV/AIDS organisations have issued a harsh criticism of Brazil's alleged failure to act on threats to break multinational sector patents on antiretrovirals (ARVs). France-based charity Medecins Sans Frontieres has even been so bold as to label the government a "toothless tiger" in its efforts to "stand up to pharmaceutical companies."
In light of recent events, the groups' statement is somewhat bizarre. While an initial deadline for the drugmakers in question to surrender their patents or face generic substitution expired April 4, the most recent reports claim that negotiations are ongoing.
US drugmakers Merck & Co., Gilead Sciences and Abbott Laboratories and health ministry officials are understood to be still in talks, while Abbott has already pledged to manufacture its own ARVs in Brazil. The move is certain to bring down prices of the currently expensive imports.
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