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Published on July 21, 2007

Novartis (Thailand) makes Glivec. It is a Swiss-based drug company.

Its Thailand president, Sirilak Suteekul, said the time was not right to impose compulsory licensing on the drug.

He admitted it was an expensive treatment but said the company had an international patient-assistance programme that provided the drug to poor patients.

"I agree with the Public Health Ministry in its concept but we need to cooperate for the best solution for patients.

"For the long term I don't see any way that compulsory licensing is a sustainable solution. So the ministry needs to find out what the real problem is - like the balance of medical resources or even drug management," Sirilak said.

Glivec costs Bt4,000 a day, about Bt1.4 million a year. The poor cannot afford it.

Novartis patient assistance has been running since 2003 and has helped more than 900 patients in that time.

There are 34 assistance centres and 113 physicians in the programme in Thailand.

The Public Health Ministry's man in charge of compulsory licensing, Wichai Chokevivat, said it was likely the licensing would be imposed but the ministry would consider it carefully.

It was talking with a generic manufacturer called Dabua in India and the United Kingdom.

"Compulsory licensing is required for poor patients. Glivec can extend a patient's life.

"Before we impose it we will consider carefully the best for patients' and the country's interests," Wichai said.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation