NGOs Unite to Call HIV Pharmaceutical Manufacturers to the Medicines Patent Pool
Online, December 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Just over a week ago the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) invited some of the largest HIV patent-holding pharmaceutical companies to the negotiating table. NGO's all over the world are banding together to pressure those companies to respond swiftly to the invitation and voluntarily contribute HIV-related patents and data rights to the MPP in exchange for licensing and royalties payments by HIV generic drug manufacturers in low and middle income countries. On Wednesday, December 15, 2010, pharmaceutical companies will receive a letter signed by over 30 non-governmental organizations stating their support of MPP patent licensing negotiations and leveraging of counter-pressure for compulsory licensing should the companies refuse to negotiate.
UNITAID board members and over 35 NGO's have signed the letter that is being sent today to 10 pharmaceutical companies including Gilead, Pfizer, Glaxo Smith Kline, Merck and other key manufacturers of patented HIV medicines.
"A lack of cooperation by companies with the pool will be a clear indicator that a voluntary, collective approach to ensuring access to life saving medications is not something that these companies support," states Dr. Esther Tallah, UNITAID board member.
On September 30, 2010 the MPP realized its first success with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) announcing its participation, contributing 5 patents for the HIV protease inhibitor darunavir, to the MPP. They are the first holder of HIV drug patents to step forward. This was a huge step in the direction towards universal access to HIV treatment, but represents only the first few of many important patents needed to produce key generic HIV medicines for the developing world.
The UNITAID-initiated patent pools has the potential to significantly reduce the price of antiretrovirals, speed the creation of essential new fixed-dose combinations, increase access to newer and more effective treatments, and help stimulate production of child-friendly formulations.
The Medicines Patent Pool, established by UNITAID as a separate legal entity in July 2010, was created as a mechanism designed to boost access to more affordable AIDS drugs in the developing world. By sharing its patents through the MPP with low and middle income countries, this process allows generic drug companies to access these licenses though payment of royalties, and to produce affordable versions of the patented medications.
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About UNITAID:
UNITAID was established in September 2006 and provides innovative, sustainable funding to improve access to medicines for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Since 2006, UNITAID has committed nearly US$500 million for AIDS treatment in low- and middle-income countries. The MPP is a crucial partner for UNITAID to address this mandate. For more information, visit: www.unitaid.eu
About African Services:
African Services Committee is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 and dedicated to improving the health and self-sufficiency of the African community in New York City and beyond. African Services provides health, housing, legal, educational, and social services to over 10,000 newcomers each year with programs that focus on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and support.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Kaplan, African Services Committee, t. 212.222.3882, ext. 130 stephaniek@africanservices.org