E-DRUG: Purchase of HIV generic drug in Argentina generates US$ 20 millions savings
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentine Government buys generic version of important drug to guarantee
the sustainability of HIV treatment
Published on 2nd September, 2015 | by RedLAM
Fundacion Grupo Efecto Positivo (FGEP) celebrates the recent acquisition
of the generic version of TDF+FTC+EFV, important public health measure.
They had applied for a compulsory license for ATAZANAVIR (Bristol Myers patent applied for)
http://redlam.us11.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=0fcd804bc35da908c24961d31&id=c2a143bebc&e=7bcacd5603
at the argentine patent office.
FGEP augmented and proved that the application filed by these companies do not meet patentability requirements
of novelty, inventive step and industrial application. The three active ingredients included in this key first line one-per-day-pill combination of drugs is in public domain and, according to the argentine patent law, it cannot be claimed in a patent application.
The patent application is currently pending of examination at the National
Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). FGEP has warned repeatedly about
the urgency in resolving the case due to the current relevance to public
health of these drugs.
According to the Ministry of Health, the purchase of the generic version
of TDF+FTC+EFV from the laboratory CIPLA means public savings of AR$
181.026.130 (almost US$ 20 million) that can be allocated for treating
more people as well as to other urgent needs of the health care system.
The head of the NAP confirmed that the purchase intends to guarantee the
sustainability of the program for 2016.
The decision is an important background which shows the way forward to
guarantee treatment for all who need it in Argentina.
Maria Lorena Di Giano
Directora Ejecutiva FGEP
Fundacion Grupo Efecto Positivo
Buenos Aires- Mar del Plata- Argentina
Coordinadora General RedLAM
Red Latinoamericana por el Acceso a Medicamentos
www.redlam.org
Lorena Di Giano <lorenadigiano@gmail.com>