Thailand’s decision to grant 3 compulsory licenses for Kaletra, Plavix (an anti clotting agent) and Efavirenz (another ARV) is completely legal and in accordance with Thai law and WTO TRIPS agreement. It was a brave and necessary step by the Thai government to ensure access to quality care and treatment for all people living with HIV/AIDS. It will allow Thailand to import the ARV, Kaletra from India at a cost of less than 4000 baht ($US113) per person per month in contrast to Abbott’s current price of 8900 baht ($US250) per person per month or 11,580 ($US325) per person per month when selling to NGOs- This price is unacceptable and unaffordable to the Thai government and in time will threaten the Thai government’s ability to fulfill its promise of providing ARV treatment to all Thais who need it.
Abbott’s decision also denies Thai PLHA access to the new heat resistant formula Kaletra- of vital importance to a tropical country such as Thailand.
This action by Abbott is unprecedented by a Pharmaceutical company and a comprehensive and intensive global campaign is needed to ensure that this never happens again and to register our disgust and condemnation for their precedence of profit over people.
We are asking people to not purchase any Abbott products to send Abbott a message that the world is watching and that will never accept dirty and life threatening tactics such as these.
