E-drug: Affordable Medicines and Treatment Campaign
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Prices of New Medicines in India are going to rise!
You can prevent this. ACT NOW.
Dear All,
Indian law will soon undergo change because India has signed the
international agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property (TRIPS).
This change will have a huge impact on the Indian patent law, which
protects the invention of new products. The 'process patent' system used in
India so far will be replaced by a more restrictive 'product patent'
system.
The impact of this change on new medicines is unimaginable! Foreign
pharmaceutical companies will have sole rights to determine the production,
distribution, pricing and, therefore, availability of new medicines. It is
feared that such a situation will raise the prices of new medicines to
amounts that are unaffordable to most Indians.
We wish to introduce you to a NATION WIDE CAMPAIGN ON AFFORDABLE MEDICINES
AND TREATMENT for all. Many people in this country do not have access to
medical treatment at present prices. The idea of prices of new medicines
being several times more expensive is surely unthinkable.
This is an issue that will have a grave and far-reaching impact on the
right to life and health of all Indians and requires immediate action by
the Indian Government. Since the Indian Government has not responded to
this urgent issue, we as citizens of India who have to face the eventual
impact of TRIPS should ACT NOW!
This campaign plans to lay special emphasis on access to HIV/AIDS medicines
for opportunistic infections (OIs) and Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).
People with HIV/AIDS can prolong their lives with the help of these
medicines, which are already very expensive (minimum Rs.1800 per month for
ART). New medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS are going to be even more
expensive. If we do not stand up against TRIPS now, many more lives will be
lost to this epidemic.
We must create public awareness and mobilisation. This issue concerns all
of us and must be confronted by a mass and unified effort. NGOs, doctors
and HIV positive peoples groups across the country have joined hands to
launch this campaign. It will focus on the accessibility of affordable
medicines for all as a fundamental human right that is enshrined in the
Indian Constitution under the right to life and health.
This campaign will be formally launched on World AIDS Day, December 1,
2001. Groups and organisations in Delhi are planning a public meeting and
candle light vigil demanding Affordable Medicines and Treatment for all.
Please find attached an invitation for this program. We would be grateful
if you could display the same at prominent places and also extend the
invitation to as many people and groups as you can.
In advancing this campaign we need to reach out to as many individuals and
organisations as we can to create awareness on the issue. We invite you to
participate in this joint initiative. It is very easy to join the campaign,
all you have to do is write back to us on this address for further
information.
In order to create greater awareness on the campaign, a mission statement,
a leaflet, a flyer and a signature campaign form have been prepared. these
are being readied for dissemination. Please, find, however, the mission
statement of the campaign attached. [E-drug cannot take attachments, you
will have to write to the HIV Aids unit to get it. KM, moderator]
The following individuals and organisations, who have come together in
initiating this campaign, welcome and anticipate your support:
Delhi: Dr. Bitra George (Salaam Baalak Trust/Sharan), Shaleen Rakesh (Naz
Foundation India), Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+), Dr. V. J. Anand
(Maulana Azad Medical College), Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit. Manipur:
Manipur Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Care Foundation. Mumbai:
Maharashtra Network of Positive People (MNP+), Swayam Siddha Sanghatana
(SSS); Population Services International (PSI), Raghav Narsalay (Focus on
Global South India), Dr. Nagesh Shirgoppikar (Forum Against Drugs), Tony
Lewis (Salvation Army), Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit, Dr. Maninder
Sethia, Denzil McDonald; James D.D. Pune: Network of Maharashtra for
Positive People (NMP+) Goa: Positive People Goa. Hyderabad: Rahul Luther
(Freedom Foundation). Bangalore: Ashok Rau (Freedom Foundation), Meera
Levine (Alternative Law Forum), Karnataka Network of Positive People
(KNP+); Sanghamitra Iyengar (Samrakasha). Chennai: Indian Network of
Positive People (INP+); Dr. Tokugha Yepthomi(YRG Care), Chitra Narayan,
Advocate. Trivandrum: Dr. Jaysree (Foundation for Integrated Research in
Mental Health).
Thank You,
"HIV Aids Unit" <aidslaw1@del2.vsnl.net.in>
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