E-DRUG: KEI Statement on NIH license of darunavir to the Medicines Patent Pool
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http://www.keionline.org/node/956
KEI Statement on NIH license of darunavir to the Medicines Patent Pool
"The announcement today by the White House that the NIH is providing a
royalty free license for patents on darunavir to the Medicines Patent
Pool is a welcome political statement that the Obama Administration
recognizes the importance of a competitive supply of low cost generic
medicines in the struggle to make AIDS treatment sustainable. The
involvement of NIH Director Francis Collins provides a signal to other
patent owners that the time is now to embrace a policy of open
licensing of patents to the Medicines Patent Pool. There is much more
the NIH can do, and much more other patent owners can do. This is the
beginning of a campaign to obtain licenses voluntarily. The
alternatives to the success of voluntary measures are confronting the
challenges of obtaining non-voluntary licenses, or shrinking the
number of persons who will receive treatment. I think everyone
recognizes the stake are very high." James Love, Director, Knowledge
Ecology International.
30 September 2010
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Thiru Balasubramaniam
Geneva Representative
Knowledge Ecology International (KEI)
thiru@keionline.org
Tel: +41 22 791 6727
Mobile: +41 76 508 0997