Activists call for Abbott boycott for withdrawing drugs
Thai HIV activists have condemned a drug manufacturer, accusing it of cancelling imports of vital medicines because its profits were threatened by government legislation.
The Thai Network of People Living with HIV/Aids and other non-government organisations called on the public yesterday to boycott Abbott Laboratories' products after it withdrew its anti-retroviral imports licence here. The move was company retaliation against the recent government decision to force the compulsory licensing of HIV drug Kaletra, Aids Access director Nimitr Tien-udom said. About 100 NGO staff gathered outside Abbott's office in Bangkok to condemn the move. Nimitr said: "Now they have pulled off the mask, we can see how greedy they are." Abbott Laboratories had sent a a letter to the Thai Food and Drug Administration withdrawing its application to register the drugs, including HIV treatment Aluvia, heart disease drug Simdax and Zemplar for treatment of chronic kidney disease, Nimitr said. He said the group would put out a list soon of other Abbott products, which include formula milk, food and weight-loss supplements - for a public boycott. Aids Access is researching what Abbott drugs are available in Thailand and medicines that can be used as a substitute. The information will be shared with the Public Health Ministry, the National Health Security Office and patients. Abbott's cancellation of drug imports would only have a slight impact on Thais, Nimitr said, and kidney patients could simply chose other treatments. The Public Health Ministry had stockpiled five months' supply of Kaletra, the campaigner said, adding that a generic version of the drug would soon be available from India under the current compulsory licensing on the medicine. Even if the Indian drug was not available in time, patients could use an old version of Kaletra, which is a combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir, meaning people would have to take a second drug, rather than just one. Health Minister Dr Mongkol na Songkhla said Abbott's decision would not have a significant effect on healthcare here because similar medicines were available from other companies. The ministry would find out how many drugs were affected and replace them with products from other firms. Abbott's officials were not available to comment.
Arthit Khwankhom The Nation
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