Thai pharma group calls for dialogue on generic drug row

Thai pharma group calls for dialogue on generic drug row

	Published : Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:49 By : Agencies Print this Story

BANGKOK (XFN-ASIA) - The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturer's Association of Thailand called on the country's military-backed government for more dialogue with industry representatives over the kingdom's generic drug program.

'We need to work together in a spirit of joint endeavor if we are to succeed in helping Thai patients,' the association said in a statement.

'There is so much more that can be provided to patients by industry and government engaging in a dialogue that is focused on securing better health outcomes in Thailand,' said the group, which represents 43 major drug companies from Europe, Japan and the United States.

Thailand's army-installed government, which came to power after last September's coup, is at loggerheads with the pharmaceutical industry over its drive to allow copycat versions of high-priced AIDS and heart medicines.

However, a senior health ministry official said the government will remain open to talks with Western drug groups over the generic drug program.

'It is true we need to discuss more about this issue, but the ministry is always open for dialogue,' said an official who is one of the ministry's negotiators with the industry.

The push for talks came one day after US pharmaceutical firm Abbott Laboratories, one of three Western drugmakers involved in the generic row, reportedly reversed a decision to withdraw its latest AIDS drug from Thailand.

Abbott in March decided not to sell Aluvia, the new form of anti-AIDS drug Kaletra, along with other new medicines in Thailand to protest the ministry's decision to import cheaper versions of Kaletra from India.

However, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US company is now offering to sell Aluvia. The report quoted its chief executive, Miles White, to back away from 'a confrontation' with the Thai government.

Apart from Kaletra, Thailand aims to introduce generic forms of antiretroviral Efavirenz and popular heart disease medicine Plavix.

afp/net