March 11, 2008
BANGKOK - Public Health Minister Chiya Sasomsub agreed to keep a controversial generic drugs program for cancer medicines.
Mr. Chaiya previously gave the signal to cancel the compulsory licences.
His policy U-turn came as consumer and health activists collected more than 20,000 signatures, a minimum requirement for Thais to impeach a minister.
"We will go ahead with compulsory licences because we believe that all Thai patients must have access to quality and affordable drugs," Chiya said in a statement.
The so-called compulsory licences temporarily suspend patent protections for pricey medicines and allow production of cheaper and copycat versions.
The army-backed government overrode patents for popular heart drug Plavix and two key AIDS medicines -- Kaletra and Efavirenz -- and issued compulsory licences on three cancer drugs: Docetaxel, Letrozole and Tarceva in January, according to AFP.
Among the cancer drugs, Docetaxel treats lung cancer and Letrozole is used for breast cancer. Tarceva is used for lung, pancreatic and ovarian cancer.
Novartis offered to give its leukemia medicine Glivic to Thai patients for free in exchange for the cancellation of the generic drug program.
Changing his mind on the drug program, Chaiya said the compulsory licences could save three billion baht.
Saree Aongsomwang, a consumer activist who campaigned for the generic drug scheme, welcomed Chiya's decision and urged him to expand it to include more drugs.
"We are happy with the decision. We want him to expand the program to include drugs for mental patients," she said.
The public health minister has been heavily attacked for his policies on drug program and officials transfer.
