Thailand to buy generic rivals to Sanofi-Aventis', Bristol-Myers Squibb's Plavix |
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Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:31
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BANGKOK (Thomson Financial) - Thailand's army-backed government said it will import generic versions of Sanofi-Aventis' and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co's heart disease drug Plavix from India.'We will start importing the first batch of 2 mln Plavix pills,' said Vichai Chokvivat, chairman of the state-run drugmaker Government Pharmaceutical Organisation.The imported version of Plavix costs just one baht (three cents) per pill, Vichai said, adding that the shipment would arrive within two months.He said the blood-thinning drug is too expensive for Thai patients. Currently, one Plavix pill costs over 70 baht (2 usd) at drugstores in Thailand.Thailand has angered Western pharmaceutical giants by issuing compulsory licenses, which temporarily suspend patent protections, for expensive medications.The government has so far approved compulsory licenses for Plavix and two key AIDS drugs -- Abbott Laboratories' Kaletra and Pfizer Inc's Efavirenz, and has threatened to expand its generic programs to include cancer drugs.It has already begun importing cheaper versions of Efavirenz from India, a major source of generic drugs.Earlier this month, European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson warned the Thai government about its generic drug programme, calling it 'a matter of concern for the European Union.'Thailand's health ministry has said fewer than 10 pct of the 300,000 heart disease patients in Thailand can buy Plavix. The ministry has said heart disease is Thailand's second leading cause of death, after HIV/AIDS.tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.comafp/jsaCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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Thailand to import generic version of heart drug Plavix from India 