E-drug: EU agrees deal on cheaper drugs (cont'd)
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On top of the positive outcome in the negotiations of the prices of
ARV in South America, this development at the EU is a good one.
One of the ideas suggested to a key manufacturer of branded ARVs
was whether they'd be in a position to manufacture a generic version
of their patented products, with the objective of addressing the critical
needs in developing countries.
The questions I'd like to present is this: Is there anything preventing a
manufacturer who has patented a product, to re-manufacture that
product in a 'generic' form, whilst their patent is in force? Would they,
in so doing, be acting against the patent principle? Secondly, would
this 'window of opportunity' not enable further R&D cost recovery? If
the answer is 'yes, they can do this', then they'd be a position to offer
quality products, and at affordable prices to developing countries, and
of course lower the tempo between them and the traditional generic
manufacturers who are commanding much of the current ARV
market.
Bonnie
Bonnie Fundafunda
Contracts Officer
UNICEF - Supply Division (Immunisation)
Copenhagen
Denmark
e-mail: bfundafunda@unicef.org
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